• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• 제37권1호
• /
• pp.60-66
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated changes in interpersonal violence and utilization of trauma recovery services during the COVID-19 pandemic. At an urban level I trauma center, trauma recovery services (TRS) provide education, counseling, peer support, and coordination of rehabilitation and recovery to address social and mental health needs. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted considerable changes in hospital services and increases in interpersonal victimization. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted between September 6, 2018 and December 20, 2020 for 1,908 victim-of-crime patients, including 574 victims of interpersonal violence. Outcomes included length of stay associated with initial TRS presentation, number of subsequent emergency department visits, number of outpatient appointments, and utilization of specific specialties within the year following the initial traumatic event. Results: Patients were primarily female (59.4%), single (80.1%), non-Hispanic (86.7%), and Black (59.2%). The mean age was 33.0 years, and 247 patients (49.2%) presented due to physical assault, 132 (26.3%) due to gunshot wounds, and 76 (15.1%) due to sexual assault. The perpetrators were primarily partners (27.9%) or strangers (23.3%). During the study period, 266 patients (mean, 14.9 patients per month) presented before the declaration of COVID-19 as a national emergency on March 13, 2020, while 236 patients (mean, 25.9 patients per month) presented afterward, representing a 74.6% increase in victim-of-crime patients treated. Interactions with TRS decreased during the COVID-19 period, with an average of 3.0 interactions per patient before COVID-19 versus 1.9 after emergency declaration (P<0.01). Similarly, reductions in length of stay were noted; the pre-COVID-19 average was 3.6 days, compared to 2.1 days post-COVID-19 (P=0.01). Conclusions: While interpersonal violence increased, TRS interactions decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting interruption of services, COVID-19 precautions, and postponement/cancellation of elective visits. Future direction of hospital policy to enable resource and service delivery to this population, despite internal and external challenges, appears warranted.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• 제36권1호
• /
• pp.32-38
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the characteristics of patients injured by high-rotation cutting tools and the factors related to the severity of their injuries. Methods: Adult patients (≥18 years), who presented to the emergency department (ED) after a high-rotation cutting tool injury and who were registered in the Korean Emergency Department-based Injury In-Depth Surveillance (2011-2018) database, were included. Patients' demographic characteristics, injury-related factors, and Injury Severity Scores were collected. All included cases were categorized into two groups according to the tool that caused the injury: grinder versus nongrinder. The characteristics of the two groups were compared, and the factors associated with the severity of injuries were investigated. Results: Among 8,697 ED visits, 4,603 patients had been using a grinder and 4,094 had been using a nongrinder tool. The most frequently injured body part while using a grinder was the hand (46.4%), followed by the head (23.0%). While using a nongrinder tool, the most frequently injured body part was also the hand (64.0%), followed by the lower leg (11.4%). The odds of a severe injury were affected by patient age (odds ratio [OR], 1.024; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.020-1.028) and using a grinder (OR, 2.073; 95% CI, 1.877-2.290). The odds of a severe injury using a grinder were higher in arm injuries (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.40-1.83) and multiple-part injuries (OR, 1.998; 95% CI, 1.639-2.437). The odds of a severe injury using a grinder were lower for head injuries (OR, 0.481; 95% CI, 0.297-0.781). Conclusions: Injuries from grinders were more likely to affect the head and neck than nongrinder injuries, despite the lower severity. The current lack of regulations on grinders in occupational safety and health standards warrants relevant legislation and the development of applicable safety equipment.

• 한국병원경영학회지
• /
• 제4권1호
• /
• pp.41-65
• /
• 1999

This study was attempted to identify the factors affecting profitability of general hospital in Kyung-In Region. Operating profit to gross revenues and net profit to gross revenues were used as a proxy indicator for profitability of hospitals. The unit of analysis was hospital, and the data were collected 5 years data from 20 hospitals. The major findings are as follows; (1) The average operating profit rate was 1.03% and the net profit rate was -5.00% in twenty hospitals in the Kyung-In Region for the last five years. In terms of maximum surplus, the operating profit rate was 14% and net profit rate was 3.40%. In terms of maximum loss revenue, the operating profit rate was -16.56% and the net profit rate was -22.83%. (2) Since the year 1993, which was the starting year of this study, the operating profits and the net profits consistently decreased. (3) Analyzing the difference in profits among various hospital groups, the tertiary hospital group and the 501-1000 beds group exhibited the highest in operating profit rate. Also, among the higher grade number of beds in hospital group, per 100 beds group, the 41-50 beds group exhibited the highest in operating profit rate. There is a statistically significant difference in those groups(p<0.05, p<0.01). (4) In the health care delivery system, the profit gain in the secondary hospital was 51.5% and in the tertiary hospital was 72.4%. Based on the number of beds in each hospital group, the highest profit gain was 75.0% in the over 1001 beds group, and 71.4% in the 501-1000 beds group. Also, among the higher grade number of beds in hospital group, per 100 beds group, the 41-50 beds group exhibited 88.6% surplus. (5) According to the surplus difference based on the analysis of health care utilization, a group with over 31 patients in bed turnover rate, a group with over 96% in bed occupancy rate and group with over 9% in emergency cases to outpatient visits exhibited the highest profit gains. In addition, a group with over 301 patients in daily outpatient visits per 100 beds and group with 11-12 days average length of stay exhibited the highest profit gains. These results are statistically significant(p<0.05, p<0.01). (6) According to a stepwise regression analysis, the variables measuring the bed turnover rate, number of licensed beds, and number of outpatient visits per specialist explain 34.1% of the variation in operating profits. In terms of net profits, the new outpatient visits, the bed turnover rates and the number of general bed variables explain 30.6%. These results are statistically significant(p<0.01).

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제66권5호
• /
• pp.573-581
• /
• 2023

Objective : Due to the implementation of vaccinations and the development of therapeutic agents, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that started at the end of 2019 has entered a new phase. As a result, neurosurgeons should reconsider the way they treat their patients. As the COVID-19 situation prolongs, the change in neurosurgical emergency patients according to the number of confirmed cases is no longer clear. Outpatient treatment by telephone was permitted according to government policy. In addition, visits to caregivers in the intensive care unit were limited. Methods : The electronic medical records of patients who had been treated over the phone for a month (during April 2020, while the hospital was closing) were reviewed. Meanwhile, according to the limited visits to the intensive care unit, a video meeting was held with the caregivers. After the video meeting, satisfaction was evaluated using a questionnaire. Results : During April 2020, 1021 patients received non-face-to-face care over the telephone. Among the patients, no critical medical problem occurred due to non-face-to-face care. From July 2021 to December 2021, 321 patients were admitted to the neurosurgical intensive care unit and 107 patients (33.3%) including their caregivers agreed to video visits. Twice a week, advance notice was given that access would be made through a mobile device and the nurse explained to caregivers how to use the mobile device. The time for the video meeting was approximately 20 minutes per patient. Based on the questionnaire, 81 respondents (75.7%) answered that they agreed, and 26 respondents (24.3%) answered that they strongly agreed that was easy to communicate through video meetings. Fifty-two (48.6%) agreed and 55 (51.4%) strongly agreed that they were easy to understand the doctor's explanation. For overall satisfaction with this video meeting, three respondents (2.8%) gave 4/5 points and 95 respondents (88.8%) gave 5/5 points, and nine (8.4%) gave 3/5 points. Their reason was that there was not enough time. Conclusion : In situations where patient visits are limited, video meetings through a mobile device can provide sufficient satisfaction to caregivers. Telemedicine will likely become common in the near future. Health care professionals should prepare and respond to these needs and changes. Therefore, establishing a system with institutional support is necessary.

• 한국임상약학회지
• /
• 제32권2호
• /
• pp.67-73
• /
• 2022

Objectives: Hyponatremia is prevalent electrolyte disorder and can be fatal in older adults. Evaluative studies on hyponatremia among older adults are scarce, especially targeting for those who visited emergency department (ED). We aimed to estimate the prevalence and to identify risk factors of hyponatremia among elderly patients visiting the ED. Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed including 65 or older patients who visited ED at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from September to December 2019. Patients with the serum sodium concentration of less than 130mEq/L was defined as a hyponatremia group. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess predictive factors for hyponatremia. Results: Of the total 2,445 patients, 155 (6.3%) were confirmed to have hyponatremia at the time of ED visits. Risk factors for hyponatremia identified in logistic regression analysis were thiazides (aOR=2.64, 95% CI 1.66-4.21), opioids (exclude tramadol) (aOR=3.45, 95% CI 1.72-6.94), and desmopressin (aOR=6.98, 95% CI 2.45-19.84). Compared to the use of thiazides alone, it was confirmed that the possibility of hyponatremia was more than quadrupled when proton pump inhibitor (PPI) was used together (aOR=4.08, 95% CI 1.74-9.55). Conclusions: About 6.3% of older adults visiting the ED had hyponatremia. Age, number of medications taken, previous history of hyponatremia, heart failure, cirrhosis, pneumonia, sepsis, prescribed drugs including thiazides, opioids (exclude tramadol), or desmopressin or taking PPI together with thiazides was confirmed to correlate with the risk of hyponatremia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제53권3호
• /
• pp.314-322
• /
• 2010

목 적 : 경남권역 응급의료센터인 마산삼성병원을 내원한 소아청소년 응급환자들을 후향적 방법으로 내원 양상을 분석하여 향후에 지역 응급 진료의 질 향상에 기여하고자 본 연구를 시행하였다. 방 법 : 2007년 1월 1일부터 2008년 12월 31일까지 2년 동안 마산삼성병원 응급센터로 내원하였던 19세 미만 소아청소년 환자 14,065명 의 의무 기록지를 통해 연구하였다. 결 과 : 남녀비는 1.5:1로 남자가 더 많았고, 연령은3세 미만이 49.6%였다. 내원 환자는 5월, 일요일, 하루 중에는 20시에서 21시 사이가 가장 많았다. 기후와의 관련에서 하루 내원 환자 수는 황사가 있을 때 3배, 맑은 날 또는 10 mm 미만의 비가 내린 경우는 10 mm 이상 비가 내렸을 때보다 4배 더 많았다. 주된 진료담당과는 전체의 62.0%가 소아과였다. ICD-10 질병 분류에서 손상 중독 및 외인에 의한 경우 22.4%, 단일 증상 및 질환으로는 발열이 13.1%로 가장 많았다. 최종 진료 처리 형태로는 퇴원이 73.8%, 입원은 25.7%였다. 15세 이상 19세 미만의 청소년인 경우 전체 연령과 다른 점은 응급의학에서 50.0%를 담당하였고, 손상 중독 및 외인에 의한 경우 36.9%, 단일 증상 질환으로는 복통이 10.9%로 가장 많았다. 또 최종 입원한 경우는 30.6%로 전체 연령보다는 더 많았고 내원 환자수가 일교차가 클수록 비례하여 더 많았다. 결 론 : 응급센터를 내원한 소아 환자 수는 남자, 3세 미만, 5월, 일요일, 20-21시 사이, 황사가 없는 맑은 날, 손상 중독 및 외인에 의한 경우 및 발열인 경우가 가장 많았다. 청소년이 소아환자와 다른 점은 일교차가 클 수록, 복통으로 내원하는 경우가 더 많았다.

• 의료ㆍ복지 건축 : 한국의료복지건축학회 논문집
• /
• 제1권1호
• /
• pp.69-78
• /
• 1995

This study is intended to understand the architectural characteristics and trends of general hospitals in Europe. The Observations, interviewes with the staff, and analyses of related materials were executed through the study-visits of sample hospitals. Some results of the study could be summarized as follows : (1) The architectural characteristics of sample hospitals could be described as the realization of horizontal design concept, application of urban design method, specialization of service departments, intergration of facility design, and planning for the emergency & disaster. (2) The architectural trends of sample hospitals could be suggested as the decentralization of functions, promotion of building standard, enhancement of interior space, consideration of environment, and autonomous management & operation of facilities. (3) The humanistic and environmental approaches from european hospitals would be preferably applicable rather than the popular concept of automation, ultra-modernization and mega-structure in Korea. First of all, the bed-center and proper facilities for disaster should be considered.

• 중환자간호학회지
• /
• 제4권1호
• /
• pp.25-35
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the actual outcomes of early discharge program for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. Methods: Medical records of 122 ELBW infants admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit from January 2000 to June 2006 and those of their 112 mothers were analyzed retrospectively. Results: After being applied early discharge program to ELBW infants' mothers, their infants' lengths of stay, gestational age and body weight at discharge, duration of completion of oral feeding, number of emergency room visits after discharge were decreased and number of breast milk feeding was increased. Conclusion: Early discharge program for ELBW infants can be an effective intervention for parents and their ELBW infants contributing to neonatal nursing practices.

• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
• /
• 제30권1호
• /
• pp.1-19
• /
• 2023

Observational data with missing or incomplete data are common in biomedical research. Multiple imputation is an effective approach to handle missing data with the ability to decrease bias while increasing statistical power and efficiency. In recent years propensity score (PS) matching has been increasingly used in observational studies to estimate treatment effect as it can reduce confounding due to measured baseline covariates. In this paper, we describe in detail approaches to competing risk analysis in the setting of incomplete observational data when using PS matching. First, we used multiple imputation to impute several missing variables simultaneously, then conducted propensity-score matching to match statin-exposed patients with those unexposed. Afterwards, we assessed the effect of statin exposure on the risk of heart failure-related hospitalizations or emergency visits by estimating both relative and absolute effects. Collectively, we provided a general methodological framework to assess treatment effect in incomplete observational data. In addition, we presented a practical approach to produce overall cumulative incidence function (CIF) based on estimates from multiple imputed and PS-matched samples.

• 간호행정학회지
• /
• 제4권2호
• /
• pp.351-361
• /
• 1998

The purpose of this study was to explore whether there is a point within the range of physical impairment after which the cost of home care exceeds the cost of nursing home care among the elderly who require long-term care. The provision of long-term care for the elderly is a major health policy issue, in part due to the aging of the American population and dramatic increase in health care costs. The framework for this study was guided by Pollak's(1973)model of costs of alternative care settings for the elderly. This study used a retrospective, descriptive correlational design. Physical impairment was measured by the modified Index of Activities of Daily Living(Katz et al. 1963). Cost of care was measured by the average cost per patient per day. The sample for this study included 67 patients receiving long-term care at home from the Long-term Home Health Care Programs (LTHHCPs) and 67 patients receiving long-term care in nursing homes. Data were collected on patient characteristics. including activities of daily living and cognitive impairment. and on the number of physician visits. emergency room visits. and hospitalization from the patient records. For each patient. Medicaid cost data for home care services/or nursing home services were collected from the financial department of each home care agency or nursing home. The living costs and informal care costs were estimated for home care patients. The results indicated that the home care sample and the nursing home sample were similar in terms of gender. ethnic background. and marital status. The elderly patients in the home care sample were: however. younger and less physically impaired than those in the nursing home sample. The hypotheses of this study were supported: For elderly persons with physical impairment scores below 12(possible range of 0 to 14), cost of care was lower in home care than in the nursing home care setting. However, for elderly persons with physical impairment scores above 12. the cost of care was higher in home care than in the nursing home care setting. Thus. in this sample for elderly patients with extreme physical impairment, the cost of home care exceeded the cost of nursing home care.