• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.97-124
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• 2021

In medical institutions, there are radiation-related workers such as radiological technologists, physicians, dentists, and dental hygienists who handle diagnostic radiation generators. Also, there are work assistants, such as nurses and assistant nurses, who assist in radiation treatment or transfer patients to the radiation examination room. Radiation exposure management for radiation-related workers is carried out under the 「Medical Service Act」, but there is no legal basis for work assistants, etc. And the management of radiation exposure for diagnosis is regulated by the 「Medical Service Act」, and the management of radiation exposure by therapeutic radiation and nuclear medical examination is governed by the 「Nuclear Safety Act」. Thus, to improve the management of radiation exposure for diagnosis, the regulations on radiation exposure management for diagnosis under the 「Medical Service Act」 were compared and reviewed with those of the 「Nuclear Safety Act」. As a result, the main contents are as follows. First, it is necessary to legislate to include nurses, assistant nurses, and clinical practice students who are likely to be exposed to radiation besides radiationrelated workers as subjects of radiation exposure management for diagnosis. Second, when a radiation-related worker for diagnosis is confirmed to be pregnant, the exposure dose limit should be defined. Third, it is necessary to revise the regulations on the types of personal exposure dosimeters in the 「Rules on the Safety Management of Radiation Generators for Diagnostics」. Fourth, it seems that health examination items for radiation-related workers, radiation workers, and frequent visitors should be the same. Fifth, It is necessary to unify and regulate diagnostic radiation and all medical radiation, including therapeutic radiation and nuclear medicine, in one legal system.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.477-484
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• 2022

In this study, the cartridge part of the focused ultrasound stimulation system was used as a sample to conduct a skin irritation test and a skin sensitization test through animal experiments among the tests related to GLP (Good Laboratory Practice), a medical device safety evaluation standard. The test was conducted after IACUC approval using 6 female New Zeland White Rabbits. The polar and non-polar stimulation indices were all '0.0'. In addition, in the case of skin sensitization evaluation, 30 guinea pigs approved by IACUC were divided into control and experimental groups, and all induction and induction steps were applied using the eluate itself without separate dilution of the test sample and blank test solution. As a result of the experiment, the skin reaction grade of the control animal was 0 grade, and there was no animal showing more than 1 grade in the skin reaction of the test animal. As a result of both tests, no abnormal skin symptoms were observed, and when applied to the human body to treat patients, the test materials used in the tests will investigate the stability of whether any diseases that cause skin abnormal symptoms will occur.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.363-374
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• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect and safety of herbal extracts in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: We investigated 19 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were administered Banhasasim-tang (BST), Gumiganghwal-tang (GGT), or Pyeongwee-san (PWS) at Kyung Hee University Korean Medical Hospital for at least three days between January 2012 and December 2021. Their clinical characteristics and laboratory tests were reviewed retrospectively. The glucose-lowering effect of the herbal extracts was assessed by comparing blood glucose levels, including fasting blood sugar (FBS), two-hour postprandial glucose (PP2) levels, and glycated hemoglobin levels. To evaluate the safety of the herbal extract, liver function test and kidney function test results were compared, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (Cr). Results: After taking herbal extracts, PP2 and HbA1c levels significantly decreased from 205.82 mg/dL to 171.41 mg/dL and 7.58% to 6.62%, respectively. The safety profile reported no significant difference after taking herbal extracts. Conclusions: BST, GGT, and PWS may have hypoglycemic effects in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus taking hypoglycemic medication.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.77-86
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• 2022

This study is a descriptive research study to understand the level of communication awareness between doctors and nurses, who are professional medical professionals, and the detailed areas and satisfaction of communication. Data were collected from 372 doctors and nurses at general hospitals located in C city from March to May 2021. The collected data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, and correlation analysis, using the SPSS/WIN 20.0 program. As a result, there was a difference in the awareness level of communication between doctor and nurse groups. Specifically, out of the detailed areas of communication recognized by doctors and nurses, there were statistically significant differences in openness(t=9.91), mutual understanding between occupations(t=5.25), and satisfaction(t=8.13) between the two groups. In addition, a positive correlation was found between the detailed areas and the communication satisfaction in both groups, showing that nurses have higher communication satisfaction with the higher openness(r=.72, p<.001), mutual understanding between occupations(r=.71, p<.001) and similarly, doctors also have higher communication satisfaction with the higher mutual understanding between occupations(r=.79, p<.001), timeliness(r=.73, p<.001). Therefore, these result suggest that it is necessary to develop a communication program that can effectively improve the weak areas such as mutual understanding between occupations and openness in nurses and doctors in order to ensure patient safety and provide quality medical care.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1393-1404
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• 2021

The current study was conducted to understand the status of infection management through a survey on the status of awareness and performance of infection management and to improve efficient infection management and education programs of workers in long-term care institutions. The subjects of the study were 134 workers at 35 long-term care institutions in the C region, and data were collected from July 12 to 30, 2021. They agree to participate in research self reported structured questionnaire by SPSS program ver. 22.0. As a result of the study, the subject's awareness of infection management appeared to be a difference in accordance with occupation (F=3.181, p=.032) and education experience (F=6.372, p=.013). Also, factors influencing the subject's performance of infection management were occupation (F=3.972, p=.010) and education experience (F=4.403, p=.038). The relationship between awareness of infection management and performance resilience fined out a significantly positive correlation (r=.919, p<.001). As a result, for patient safety in long-term care institutions in the COVID-19 pandemic situation, it is very important for workers not only to recognize the importance of infection management but also to directly perform infection management activities. To this end, regardless of the size of the institution, it is necessary to prepare a systematic and continuous curriculum by occupation and educational topic, and to legally strengthen the evaluation system to improve the quality of the infection management system.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.125-135
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• 2022

Objectives: A restrospective chart review were conducted to investigate the overall weight loss effect of the integrated Korean medicine treatment on obese patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥25 kg/m²) in Korean medicine clinic and analyze the difference in the effect according to lifestyle behaviors. Methods: The medical records of 43 obese patients were retrospectively analyzed including body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and body composition who received integrated Korean medicine treatment for 4 weeks at 24 Korean medicine clinics in Daejeon metropolitan city. All outcome measures were evaluated again 8 weeks after the end of treatment at week 12 for follow-up. EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), the Korean version of the obesity-related quality of life scale (KOQOL) and patient's satisfaction were also evaluated. The analysis was divided according to the treatment period and observation period, and subgroup analysis was performed according to drinking and exercise habits. Results: Body weight, body fat, waist circumference, hip circumference, body fat were significantly reduced at week 4 and week 12. Theses weight reduction effects were significantly greater within treatment period (0 to 4 week) than observation period (4 to 12 week). Especially in the non-exercise group, the changes in body fat mass and body fat percent showed a significant difference between the treatment period and the observation period. KOQOL were also significantly improved at 12 week, but not in EQ-5D. No severe adverse events were observed. Conclusions: The integrated Korean medicine treatment could be effective to treat obesity including weight loss. It is necessary to prevent additional weight regain through regular exercise even after Korean medicine treatment.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2022

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (INM) ensures the stability and safety of specific surgeries in high-risk groups. As part of INM, intensive tests are conducted during the surgical process. When INM tests are applied during surgery, a delay in notifying the operating surgeon in cases of neurological defects can cause serious irreversible sequelae to the patient. Aortic replacement, which is necessitated due to aortic aneurysms and aortic dissection, is a complicated procedure that blocks the blood flow to the heart. When arteries that branch out from the aorta and supply blood to the spinal cord are replaced, blood flow to the spinal cord decreases, resulting in spinal ischemia. In aortic surgery, INM plays an important role in preventing spinal ischemia and serious complications by quickly detecting the early signs of spinal ischemia during cross-clamping and reporting it to the surgeon. Therefore, this paper was prepared to help examiners who conduct INM by detailing the process, method, time, and warning criteria for INM. This paper identifies the need for INM in aortic surgery and the process flow for a smooth test, accurate and rapid examination, and subsequent reporting.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.354-365
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to assess the safety and effect on glucose level of Bojungikgi-tang in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: To review patients' clinical characteristics and laboratory tests retrospectively, we investigated 15 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who took Bojungikgi-tang at Kyung Hee University Korean Medical Hospital for at least one day between January 2012 and December 2022. The blood glucose levels, including fasting blood sugar (FBS), 2-hour postprandial glucose (PP2) levels, and glycated hemoglobin level, were collected to determine the effect of the Bojungikgi-tang on blood sugar changes. Furthermore, to evaluate the safety of Bojungikgi-tang, hepatic function and renal function tests were implemented, including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease estimated glomerular filtration rate. Results: When Bojungikgi-tang and a standard treatment for diabetes were administered for patients with type 2 diabetes, it was confirmed that there were no statistically significant changes in FBS and PP2 levels in the analysis of each medication taken. There was no significant difference in the safety profile after taking Bojungikgi-tang. Conclusions: The combined administration of Bojungikgi-tang with standard hypoglycemic medication for patients with type 2 diabetes may not affect blood glucose levels and safety.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.439-454
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• 2023

Objectives: As Korea transitions into an aging society, the incidence of cerebrovascular disease is expected to increase. Herbal medicine is commonly used in Oriental medicine to treat cerebrovascular disease. However, there is insufficient clinical evidence to actively support the safety of herbal medicine in clinical practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the toxicity and safety of four herbal medicines (Cheongsimyeonja-tang, Dodam-tang, Hyeolbuchukso-tang, and Boshiniknai-tang) in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Methods: This study used electronic medical records to analyze patients admitted to an oriental medicine hospital from April 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. Liver and renal function values at the time of admission and discharge were compared. Results: A total of 25 patients were included in this study. We found no significant differences in various variables, such as complete blood count, liver-renal function test, and urine, before and after the administration of the four herbal medicines. Additionally, no significant adverse events related to herbal medicine were observed. Conclusions: This study confirmed the safety of the four herbal medicines in patients with cerebrovascular disease who were hospitalized in a single Oriental medicine hospital.

• Journal of the Korea Computer Graphics Society
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.21-30
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• 2023

Accurate segmentation of the kidney tumor is necessary to identify shape, location and safety margin of tumor in abdominal CT images for surgical planning before renal partial nephrectomy. However, kidney tumor segmentation is challenging task due to the various sizes and locations of the tumor for each patient and signal intensity similarity to surrounding organs such as intestine and spleen. In this paper, we propose a semi-supervised learning-based mean teacher network that utilizes both labeled and unlabeled data using a kidney local guided map including kidney local information to segment small-sized kidney tumors occurring at various locations in the kidney, and analyze the performance according to the kidney tumor size. As a result of the study, the proposed method showed an F1-score of 75.24% by considering local information of the kidney using a kidney local guide map to locate the tumor existing around the kidney. In particular, under-segmentation of small-sized tumors which are difficult to segment was improved, and showed a 13.9%p higher F1-score even though it used a smaller amount of labeled data than nnU-Net.