• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.349-358
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• 2003

Objectives : Aseptic meningitis is a major cause of Korean childhood morbidity late spring and early summer. However, the nationwide incidences of the disease have not been reported. This study was conducted to evaluate the availability of National Health Insurance data (NHID) for the study of an epidemiological trend in the surveillance of aseptic meningitis in children. Methods : All the claims, under A87, A87.8, and A87.9 by ICD-10, among children below 15 years of age, to the National Health Insurance Corporation, between January and December 1998, were extracted. A survey of the medical record of 3,874 cases from 136 general hospitals was peformed. The availability of the NHID was evaluated by the three following methods: 1) The diagnostic accuracy (the positive Predictive value : proportion of the confirmed aseptic meningitis among the subjects registered as above disease-codes in NHID) was evaluated through a chart review, and according to age, gender, month and region of disease-occurrence. 2) The distribution of confirmed cases was compared with the distribution of total subjects from the NHID, for subjects in General hospitals, or the subjects surveyed. 3) The proportion of confirmed CSF test was confirmed, and the relating factor, which was the difference in CSF-test rate, analyzed. Results : Among 3,874 cases, CSF examinations were peformed on 1,845 (47.6%), and the CSF-test rates were different according to the medical utility (admission vs. OPD visit) and the severity of the symptoms and signs. The diagnostic accuracy for aseptic meningitis, and during the epidemic (May-Aug) and sporadic (Sept-Apr) periods, were 85.0 (1,568/1,845), 86.0 (1,239/l,440) and 81.2% (329/405), respectively. The distributions by age, sex, month or period (epidemic/sporadic) and region, in the confirmed cases, were similar to those in the NHID, in both the subjects at General hospitals and in those surveyed, to within ${\pm}7%$. Conclusions : In this paper, the NHID for the subjects registered with an aseptic meningitis disease-code might be available for an epidemiological study on the incidence-estimation of childhood aseptic meningitis, as the NHID could include both the probable and definite cases. On the basis of this result, further studies of time-series and secular trend analyses, using the NHID, will be peformed.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.13-23
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the user satisfaction between 4-bedrooms and 5/6-bedrooms in a single general hospital. Methodology: To measure and compare multiple-bed ward user satisfaction between 4-bedrooms and 5/6-bedrooms, questionnaires were collected from 916 inpatients and 129 nurses in a single general hospital. The patient satisfaction questionnaire categories included environmental conditions, protection of privacy, and medical services. The nurse satisfaction questionnaire categories included space, infection control, patient safety, work load and psychologic view point. Findings: Satisfaction of patient who admitted in 4-bedroom to the environmental conditions and protection of privacy was higher than that of 5/6-bedroom group (3.91 vs. 3.25, p<0.001). Satisfaction of nurse who worked in 4-bedroom was higher than that of 5/6-bedroom (3.05 vs. 1.92, p<0.001). By the multiple linear regression analysis, patient satisfaction to the environmental conditions and protection of privacy was related with multi-bedroom type and location of beds; 4-bedrooms were higher than 5/6-bedrooms(p<0.001), window side bed were higher than hallway side bed(p=0.001). There was no satisfaction difference in comparing medical services between the two groups. By the multiple linear mixed regression analysis, nurse satisfaction who were assigned for 4-bedrooms were higher than that of 5/6-bedrooms in all categories(p<0.001). Practical Implications: Even though no difference has shown in medical services satisfaction between the two patient groups, multi-bedroom type may affect patient satisfaction in environmental condition, protection of privacy and may also affect overall nurse satisfaction. This result suggests that to improve multi-bedroom user satisfaction, 4-bedroom is recommended over 5/6-bedroom.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.37-51
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• 2006

This study evaluates the reliability of the discharge status variable m health insurance claims for identifying in-hospital patient deaths. This study used 2002 national health insurance claims and the cause of death statistics from Korean national statistical office. The Study data set included acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients in 133 general and tertiary hospitals. The gold standard containing patient death information was made and then compared with that of claims data. The hospitals were classified into four groups based on the number of deaths in each hospital. Simple kappa coefficients were calculated to evaluate the agreements of patient deaths between the gold standard and the insurance claims. CABG (83.9%) showed higher agreements than AMI(73.0%) in matched in-hospital patient death information between data sets. Simple kappa coefficients of CABG (0.63) and AMI (0.59) showed moderate or good agreements. The agreements, however, varied depending on the disease or hospital types. The fact that the agreements are only moderate to good indicates that the accuracy of in-hospital death information in claims is not high. n the variable is used to identify patient deaths, it may mislead people. Therefore, efforts should be made to improve the reliability of the discharge status variable in health insurance claims.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.282-288
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• 2010

Surgery with the computer navigation system can make it possible to identify important anatomical structures which are difficult to be confirmed with the naked eye in the operation, and has extended their applications in various surgical fields. The head and neck surgery especially requires detailed anatomical knowledges and these knowledges have influences on postoperative functions and esthetics of a patient. In the orthognathic surgery, we should take osteotomies in the precise locations of the jawbones and move segments to the intended positions. There are so many important anatomical structures around the osteotomy-sites in the orthognathic surgery that the prevention of damage to these structures to obtain satisfactory results without any complication. There are vessels of the pterygoid plexus posterior to the pterygoid plate in the maxilla and the mandibular nerve enters the mandibluar foramen in the mandibular ramus. These locations should be confirmed perioperatively to avoid any injury to these structures. The navigation-assisted surgery may be helpful for this purpose. We performed navigational orthognathic surgeries with preoperative CT images and obtained satisfactory results. The osteotomy was performed in the proper location and damaging the surrounding important anatomical structures was avoided by keeping the saw away from them with the real-time navigation. It may be required to develop proper devices and protocols for the navigation-assisted orthognathic surgery.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.70-95
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• 1991

The ageing problem of the population has been emerging in Korea since 1970's so that it is expecting the elderly 65 years and over among the total population from $4.5\%$ in 1988 to be $6.3\%$ in year 2000. This study was conducted to provide secure policy development in coming years for the aged on medical and health care aspects based on the examining current status of the aged problems and health care policies and systems. The study divided into four parts; The first part examined the medical insurance program and public assistance program of the health services in relation to the aged. The second part emphasized on reduction of medical care cost for the aged. The third part studied the regular health check-up program and health education for the aged. The fourth part examined the chronic disease management programs for the aged and strategies of the health care service quality improvement and specialized programs. The following recommendations made as the results of the study. 1. At present, the medical insurance program and public assistance program for the medically indigent is not appropriate to the elderly because it is a part of general medical insurance program so that Health Security Law for the Aged is proposed. 2. Medical cost will be increased due to the high occupancy rate of hospital beds and long stay of the elderly so that it is recommended to develop an early discharge program, home health care program, Health hospice and an althernative programs. 3. At present, a regular health check-ups for the elderly is not included in medical insurance program so that it is recommended to be included in the insurance program and at the same time health education program thoroughly developed for the aged. 4. To make proper medical and nursing services on chronic diseases for the elderly, it is recommended manpower development, specialized clinics or hospitals, nursing homes and an equivalent long term care facilitices should be established on the community based and a research institutions also to be related to supper the care programs.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.128-146
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• 2006

The objective of this paper is to examine the proportion and characteristics of non-emergent patients at emergency departments. The observational survey was conducted using a structured form used by emergency medicine specialists or senior residents on June 7-20, 2005. 1,526 patients at ten emergency centers took part in this study. The structural form contained type of insurance, route and means of emergency department (ED) visit, triage based on the Manchester Triage Scale(MTS)-modified criteria, emergency level based on the government defined rule, type of emergency centers (Regional Emergency Medical Center; REMC, Local Emergency Medical Center; LEMC, Local Emergency Agency; LEA), as well as patient's general information. Data were analyzed using SAS statistical program(V.8.2). Descriptive analysis was performed to describe the magnitude of non-emergent patients. ${\chi}^2-analysis$ and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the nonurgent patients' characteristics. In the MTS-modified criteria, we found a 15.3% rate of non-emergent patients. This rate differed from that of non-emergent patients obtained using government's rule. In particular, there were inaccuracies in the definition of government rule on non-emergent patients, so it is necessary to apply the new government rule regarding classification of non-emergent patients. There were significant differences in the rate of non-emergent patients according to type of ED, means of ED visit, time to visit, and insurance. Non-emergent patients are more likely to visit a D-type ED(LEA having less than 20,000 patients annually), not to use ambulance, to have 'Automobile Insurance, Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance, or pay out-of-pocket'. Non-emergent patients tend to visit ED due to illness rather than injury. Further studies on the development' of triage scale and reexamination of the government's rule on emergency visits are required for future policy in this area.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.254-260
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of this study is to assume appropriate outpatient consultation time for each clinical department on the basis of measured outpatient consultation time and satisfaction of outpatient. Methods: We surveyed the feeling and satisfactory outpatient consultation time, satisfaction, revisiting intention and recommendation to others to 1,105 patients of single general hospital in Gyeonggi-do and measured their real outpatient consultation time from October 28 to November 27 in 2013. On the basis of satisfaction, we estimated appropriate outpatient consultation time through area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in logistic regression model. Results: Feeling outpatient consultation time was 5.1 minutess, satisfactory outpatient consultation time which was suggested by patient was 6.3 minutes, and real outpatient consultation time was 4.2 minutes. Department which had longest real outpatient consultation time was infection (7 minutes) and department which had longest satisfactory outpatient consultation time was neurology (9.4 minutes). From the univariate and the multiple linear regression analysis, real outpatient consultation time was longer in pulmonology patient, new patient and afternoon patient, satisfactory outpatient consultation time was longer in infection, neurology, neuropsychiatry, neurosurgery, and rehabilitation patient. Appropriate real outpatient consultation time was suggested as 5.6 minutes which differentiated high and low satisfied patient group. However, we could not assume appropriate outpatient consultation time for each clinical department because the number of patient who had bad satisfaction was too low. Conclusion: To improve patient's satisfaction, we hope outpatient reservation system is operated as each patient's outpatient consultation time is at least 5.6 minutes.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.184-191
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• 2022

This study aims to provide basic information necessary to find an efficient management plan for patients using auto insurance. The analysis was conducted on the five-year auto insurance medical expenses review data registered in the health care bigdata Hub from 2016 to 2020. As a result of the analysis, the number one composition ratio of auto insurance inpatient treatment expenses was treatment and surgery fees for Certified tertiary hospitals, hospitalization fees for general hospitals, hospitals and clinics, and treatment and surgery fees for oriental medical institutions and dental hospitals. outpatient treatment expenses was doctor's fee for medical institution, treatment and surgery fees for oriental medical institutions and dental hospitals. The ratio of medication, anesthesia, and special equipment significantly affected the cost of inpatient. And the ratio of physical therapy significantly affected the cost of outpatient.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.691-700
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was done to analyze variations in unit staffing and recommend policies to improve nursing staffing levels in intensive care units (ICUS). Method: A cross-sectional study design was used, employing survey data from the Health Insurance Review Agency conducted from June-July, 2003. Unitstaffing was measured using two indicators; bed-to-nurse (B/N) ratio (number of beds per nurse), and patient-to-nurse (P/N) ratio (number of average daily patients per nurse). Staffing levels were compared according to hospital and ICU characteristics. Result: A total of 414 institutions were operating 569 adult and 86 neonatal ICUs. Tertiary hospitals (n=42) had the lowest mean B/N (0.82) and P/N (0.76) ratios in adult ICUs, followed by general hospitals (B/N: 1.34, P/N: 0.97). Those ratios indicated that a nurse took care of 3 to 5 patients per shift. Neonatal ICUs had worse staffing and had greater variations in stafnng ratios than adult ICUs. About 17% of adult and 26% of neonatal ICUs were staffed only by adjunct nurses who had responsibility for a general ward as well as the ICU Conclusion: Stratification of nurse staffing levels and differentiation of ICU utilization fees based on staffing grades are recommended as a policy tool to improve nurse staffing in ICUs.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 2003

General drug prices involve three stages: shipment stage, wholesaler stage and retail stage. Policies on drug price differ from country to country. Shipment stage prices are tightly regulated in countries like France and Netherlands. They are free in only a minority of advanced countries, even if these include some major players such as the US, Germany and, in a very limited sense, Japan. The situation in the UK is very complex with a semi-free system, where drug companies are free to set their own prices but cannot exceed a predetermined profit ceiling. Mark-up at both wholesaler and retail stages is formally admitted in most countries observed. Apart from the general drug prices, reimbursement price of insured drugs has been major policy concerns. Most countries reviewed in this study has exerted some control over reimbursement prices, but differ both in the way how and in the extent to which prices are admitted or fixed. Price fixing has been used in France and Japan. Some countries have transformed their system over time, particularly to move to reference pricing in the last decade. This mechanism has empowered the customer, and improved price competition on the market. Referring to the drug price policies in the advanced countries, this study makes some suggestions for the redirection of Korean price policy for reimbursement drug in health insurance as follows: to match appropriate policy tools to each policy goal; to maximize market mechanism through effective reimbursement price fixing which admits mark-ups in wholesaler and retail prices; to introduce reference pricing system in order to redirect patient's demand with a financial incentive to choose the best-priced drugs and to save the finance of health insurance; and to strengthen surveillance and monitoring mechanism in the drug market.