• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Fire Science and Engineering Conference
• /
• 2012.04a
• /
• pp.190-193
• /
• 2012

The tools that classify the severity of patients based on the prediction of mortality include APACHE, SAPS, and MPM. Theses tools rely crucially on the evaluation of patients' general clinical status on the first date of their admission to ICU. Nursing activities are one of the most crucial factors influencing on the quality of treatment that patients receive and one of the contributing factors for their prognosis and safety. The purpose of this study was to identify the goodness-of-fit of CPSCS of critical patient severity classification system(CPSCS) and Glasgow coma scale(GCS) and the clinical usefulness of its death rate prediction. Data were collected from the medical records of 187 neurological patients who were admitted to the ICU of C University Hospital. The data were analyzed through $x^2$ test, t-test, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, goodness-of-fit test, and ROC curve. In accordance with patients' general and clinical characteristics, patient mortality turned out to be statistically different depending on ICU stay, endotracheal intubation, central venous catheter, and severity by CPSCS. Homer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit tests were CPSCS and GCS and the results of the discrimination test using the ROC curve were $CPSCS_0$,.734, $GCS_0$,.583, $CPSCS_{24}$,.734, $GCS_{24}$,.612, $CPSCS_{48}$,.591, $GCS_{48}$,.646, $CPSCS_{72}$,.622, and $GCS_{72}$,.623. Logistic regression analysis showed that each point on the CPSCS score signifies1.034 higher likelihood of dying. Applied to neurologically ill patients, early CPSCS scores can be regarded as a useful tool.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.15-20
• /
• 2014

Background: Triphasic waves are one of the electroencephalographic patterns that can be usually seen in metabolic encephalopathy. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical and electrophysiologic profiles between patients with and without triphasic waves in metabolic encephalopathy, and reassess the significance of triphasic waves in metabolic encephalopathy. Methods: We recruited 127 patients with metabolic encephalopathy, who were admitted to our hospital. We divided these admitted patients into two groups; those with and without triphasic waves. We analyzed the difference of duration of hospitalization, mortality rate during admission, Glasgow Coma Scale, severity of electroencephalographic alteration, and presence of acute symptomatic seizures between these two groups. Results: Of the 127 patients with metabolic encephalopathy, we excluded 67 patients who did not have EEG, and 60 patients finally met the inclusion criteria for this study. Patients with triphasic waves had more severe electroencephalographic alterations, lower Glasgow Coma Scale, and more acute symptomatic seizures than those without triphasic waves. After adjusting the clinical variables, Glasgow Coma Scale and acute symptomatic seizures were only significantly different between patients with and without triphasic waves. Conclusions: We demonstrated that patients with triphasic waves in metabolic encephalopathy had more significant impairment of the brain function.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.62 no.2
• /
• pp.232-242
• /
• 2019

Objective : To investigate the effects of trauma center establishment on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of trauma patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods : We enrolled 322 patients with severe trauma and TBI from January 2015 to December 2016. Clinical factors, indexes, and outcomes were compared before and after trauma center establishment (September 2015). The outcome was the Glasgow outcome scale classification at 3 months post-trauma. Results : Of the 322 patients, 120 (37.3%) and 202 (62.7%) were admitted before and after trauma center establishment, respectively. The two groups were significantly different in age (p=0.038), the trauma location within the city (p=0.010), the proportion of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (p=0.001), and the emergency room stay time (p<0.001). Mortality occurred in 37 patients (11.5%). Although the preventable death rate decreased from before to after center establishment (23.1% vs. 12.5%), the difference was not significant. None of the clinical factors, indexes, or outcomes were different from before to after center establishment for patients with severe TBI (Glasgow coma scale score ${\leq}8$). However, the proportion of inter-hospital transfers increased and the time to emergency room arrival was longer in both the entire cohort and patients with severe TBI after versus before trauma center establishment. Conclusion : We confirmed that for patients with severe trauma and TBI, establishing a trauma center increased the proportion of ICU admissions and decreased the emergency room stay time and preventable death rate. However, management strategies for handling the high proportion of inter-hospital transfers and long times to emergency room arrival will be necessary.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.157-171
• /
• 2008

Objectives : To report one case of semi-coma patient was treated by scalp acupuncture with electric stimulation. Methods : Patient (state of semi-coma) was treated by scalp acupuncture with electric stimulation, herbal medication and physical therapy. The improvement of patient was measured every other week by Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS), Modified Bathel Index(MBI), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS). Results : We observed the patient decrease in NIHSS score and increase in GCS and MBI. Symptoms of patient such as semi-coma were improved following the treatment. Conclusions : It is suggested that oriental medical treatment; scalp acupuncture with electric stimulation, herbal medication and physical therapy were effective in semi-coma caused by traumatic brain injury.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.561-570
• /
• 2010

Purpose: This was a cross sectional descriptive study to introduce the Infants Coma Scale (ICS), describe mental status of high risk infants using ICS and explore the relationships between ICS and clinical variables in infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital in Korea. Methods: After ICS was developed and tested by the authors, a research nurse evaluated the mental status of the infants using the English version of ICS and obtained clinical information on the infants from their medical records. Results: Data from 88 infants were analyzed. About 60% were male, 90% were preterm births, and 40% had pathologic abnormalities. Their mean gestational age was 32.4 (${\pm}3.50$) weeks and the mean birth weight was 1,842 (${\pm}728.6$) grams. The Cronbach's alpha for the ICS was .78. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between ICS total score and five clinical variables including gestational age, birth weight, 1 and 5 min Apgar scores and respiration status. Conclusion: Mental status is an important parameter in nursing assessment. ICS is a valid and reliable instrument, which clinicians can easily use to evaluate the mental status of high risk infants.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.58 no.4
• /
• pp.373-378
• /
• 2015

Objective : To determine the advantages of parietal approach compared to Kocher's point approach for spontaneous, oval-shaped intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) with expansion to the parietal region. Methods : We divided patients into two groups : group A had burr holes in the parietal bone and group B had burr holes at Kocher's point. The hematoma volume, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, and modified Barthel Index (mBI) score were calculated. At discharge, we evaluated the patients' Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, motor grade, and hospitalization duration. We evaluated the patients' mBI scores and motor grades at 6 months after surgery. Results : The hematoma volume in group A was significantly less than that in group B on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21. Group A had significantly higher GCS scores than did group B on postoperative days 1 and 3. Group A had higher mBI scores postoperatively than did group B, but the scores were not significantly different. No differences were observed for the GOS score, mRS score, motor grade at discharge, or duration of hospitalization. The mBI score of group A at 6 months after surgery was significantly higher, and more patients in group A showed muscle strength improvement. Conclusion : In oval-shaped ICH with expansion to the parietal region, the parietal approach is considered to improve the clinical symptoms at the acute phase by removing the hematoma more effectively in the early stages. The parietal approach might help promote the long-term recovery of motor power.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.331-336
• /
• 2007

Objective : The aim of this study was to analyze the treatment results and prognostic factors in patients with massive cerebral infarction who underwent decompressive craniectomy. Methods : From January 2000 to December 2005, we performed decompressive craniectomy in 24 patients with massive cerebral infarction. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records, radiological findings, initial clinical assessment using the Glasgow Coma Scale, serial computerized tomography (CT) with measurement of midline and septum pellucidum shift, and cerebral infarction territories. Patients were evaluated based on the following factors : the pre- and post-operative midline shifting on CT scan, infarction area or its dominancy, consciousness level, pupillary light reflex and Glasgow Outcome Scale. Results : All 24 patients (11 men, 13 women; mean age, 63 years; right middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory, 17 patients; left MCA territory, 7 patients) were treated with large decompressive craniectomy and duroplasty. The average time interval between the onset of symptoms and surgical decompression was 2.5 days. The mean Glasgow Coma Scale was 12.4 on admission and 8.3 preoperatively. Of the 24 surgically treated patients, the good outcome group (Group 2 : GOS 4-5) comprised 9 cases and the poor outcome group (Group1 : GOS 1-3) comprised 15 cases. Conclusion : We consider decompressive craniectomy for large hemispheric infarction as a life-saving procedure. Good preoperative GCS, late clinical deterioration, small size of the infarction area, absence of anisocoria, and preoperative midline shift less than 11mm were considered to be positive predictors of good outcome. Careful patient selection based on the above-mentioned factors and early operation may improve the functional outcome of surgical management for large hemispheric infarction.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.278-283
• /
• 2001

Objective : Massive cerebral infarction could be accompanied by severe brain swelling and death secondary to transtentorial herniation. Approximately 10% to 15% of middle cerebral artery infarctions are associated with this phenomenon. However, the effectiveness and timing of decompressive surgery are still controversial. In this study, we present our results on the effect of decompressive craniectomy in life threatening cerebral infarction. Method : We retrospectively analyzed 15 patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy for massive cerebral infarction from January 1997 to April 1999. Surgical indication was based on the clinical signs such as neurological deterioration, pupillary reflex, and radiological findings. Clinical outcome was assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Results : All 15 patients(five men, ten women ; mean age, 52.3 years ; right 11, left 4) were treated with wide craniectomy and duroplasty. The average time interval between onset of symptom and surgical decompression was 2.9 days. Clinical signs of uncal herniation(anisocoria, or fixed and dilated pupils) were presented in 13 of 15 patients. Mean Glasgow coma scale(GCS) was 12.4 points on admission, 8.1 points on preoperative state and 11.8 points postoperatively. Overall outcomes were favorable in 5 cases(Glasgow outcome scale : GOS I, II), unfavorable in 6 cases(Glasgow outcome scale : GOS III, IV) and dead in 4 cases. Conclusion : Early decompressive craniectomy before brain stem compression is considered as an effective lifesaving procedure for massive cerebral infarction unresponsive to aggressive medical therapy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.59-72
• /
• 2010

Purpose: This study is a descriptive research to analyze prognostic factors of barbiturate coma therapy (BCT) for severe brain damage patients, to develop a critical pathway (CP) based on the results of analysis and to examine the effect of its clinical application. Method: We analyzed medical records of 76 patients who received BCT for more than three days between January 1999 to July 2005. Based on the results of the analysis, we developed a CP and applied it to 12 people during August-December of 2005. Result: By application of BCT CP, the mortality rate decreased from 31.6% to 16.7%. It was found that the period of staying at ICU and total period of hospitalization were shortened by 2.78 (13.9%) days and 16.43 (29.4%) days, respectively. The Glasgow coma scale of the recovery group by CP application was 9.03 (4.64) at 72 hours post of BCT and 14.28 (1.82) at discharge from hospital, and DRS was 6.62 (6.38) points. Conclusion: By verifying clinical validity of the suggested CP, we believe that we have obtained visible effects standardizing the treatment pathway of BCT for brain damage patients.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.169-176
• /
• 1995

두부 외상은 많은 발생율과 사망율을 차지하고 있으며, 건강한 생활을 위해 큰 관심을 갖게 되었다. 신경방사선영상은 외상성 뇌손상 환자들의 진단과 치료에 필수적인 방법이다. 뇌손상의 기본 기전, 병리, 그리고 영상 소견을 이해 하는 것은 매우 중요하다. 1970년대에 Glasgow coma scale의 형상과 전산화단층촬영(CT)의 발달은 임상의사들이 두부외상에 대한 평가와 환자들의 경과를 예상하는데 극적인 변화를 주었다. 최근 자기공명영상(MRI)의 발달로 외상성 뇌손상의 형태를 더욱 이해 하게 되었고, 두부 외상의 발견율이 높아지게 되었다.