• Title/Summary/Keyword: High-cost patients

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Patient-specific implants for maxillofacial defects: challenges and solutions

  • Alasseri, Nasser;Alasraj, Ahmed
    • Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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    • v.42
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    • pp.15.1-15.8
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    • 2020
  • Background: Reconstructing maxillofacial defects is quite challenging for most surgeons due to the region's complex anatomy and cosmetic and functional effects on patients. The use of pre-made alloplastic implants and autogenous grafts is often associated with resorption, infection, and displacement. Recent technological advances have led to the use of custom computer-designed patient-specific implants (PSIs) in reconstructive surgery. This study describes our experience with PSI, details the complications we faced, how to overcome them, and finally, evaluates patient satisfaction. Case presentation: Six patients underwent reconstruction of various maxillofacial defects arising due to different etiologies using PSI. A combined total of 10 implants was used. PEEK was used to fabricate 8, while titanium was used to fabricate 2. No complications were seen in any patient both immediately post-op and in subsequent follow-ups. All patients reported a high level of satisfaction with the final result both functionally and cosmetically. Conclusion: The use of computer-designed PSI enables a more accurate reconstruction of maxillofacial defects, eliminating the usual complications seen in preformed implants and resulting in higher patient satisfaction. Its main drawback is its high cost.

A study on results of short-course chemotherapy of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis registered at Seoul city health centers (서울시 보건소에 등록된 폐결핵환자의 단기치료성적에 관한 연구)

  • Park, Hye-Sook;Ha, Eun-Hee;Wie, Cha-Hyung
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.28 no.2 s.50
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    • pp.487-496
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    • 1995
  • This study was performed for the comparison of the therapeutic efficiency between 6-month (2HERZ/4HER) and 9-month (9HER) short-course chemotherapy under the programe conditions for pulmonary tuberculosis in terms of sputum AFB negative conversion rate, remedial interruption rate and cost effectiveness analysis. Two hundreds and ninty three patients treated with 9HER and 641 treated with 2HERZ/4HER had been discharged from 22 health centers in Seoul from May 1, 1993 to April 30, 1994. Seven hundreds and seventeen was subsequently analysed excluding 217 patients due to remedial interruption. The results : 1. Bacteriological negative conversion rate in 9HER regimen and 2HERZ/4HER regimen was 97.8% and 96.4% respectively(p>0.05). But the early treatment period, negative conversion rate in 2HERZ/4HER regimen was very higher than in 9HER regimen(p<0.01). 2. Remedial interruption rate for 9HER regimen and 2HERZ/4HER regimen was 34.1% and 13.6% respectively. The primary reason for the interruption was transfering to other clinics and this interruption was high within 3months. 3. Cost effectiveness for 2HERZ/4HER regimen was higher than 9HER regimen. The difference cost effectiveness ratio was 2.33 at the first sputum test and 1.69 at the last sputum test.

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Limb-Salvage Surgery using Ilizarov Technique - Report of 2 cases - (Ilizarov술식을 이용한 사지 구제술 - 2례 보고 -)

  • Cho, Duck-Yun;Koh, Eun-Sung;Lee, Ji-Sup
    • The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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    • v.1 no.2
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    • pp.226-232
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    • 1995
  • Survival rate of osteosarcoma has been improved recently due to the neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. Limb-salvaging operation(LSO) has replaced the amputation technique without' lowering the survival rate. And there occurred a lot of patients who are suffering from the high cost of artificial implants and forced to choose amputation due to economic problem. In LSO, usually relatively high cost artifical implant is needed. When a patient and not afford such an expensive implant he had to choose an inexpensive way, amputation. Authors tried bone lengthening by adopting Ilizarov technique after wide resection of tumor in two patients. Bone transportation was successful in one patient and less successful in the other. One case in CDF(continuosly disease free since the surgical procedure) state at follow-up 3 year 4 months after knee joint fusion. And the other was given lobectomy for lung metastasis at postop. 1 year and 9 months, and given osteosynthesis for infected nonunion at the docking site. Bone transportation was thought to be a good method for the bony coverage of dead space caused by wide resection. Bone transportation technique was economical as well as biological We present two osteosarcoma patient who treated with Ilizarov bone transportation.

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A study of the Characteristics of Readmitted Patients in an University Hospital in Korea (재입원 환자의 특성연구)

  • Hong, Joon-Hyun
    • Quality Improvement in Health Care
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    • v.2 no.2
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    • pp.56-71
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    • 1996
  • Background : Review of readmissions in health care facilities is necessary from the viewpoint of both economic concerns and quality considerations. To identify the characteristics, factors, and causes of multiple admissions in comparison with single admissions is essential for both providers and payers in order to assure quality care and efficient use of medical resources. Methods: All discharges from an university hospital in 1993 were analyzed, and the characteristics of multiple admissions were identified and were compared with those of single admissions by using the data bases of the discharge abstract and billing for reimbursement. Medical records of patients readmitted within 6 days after the previous discharge were reviewed to identify the reasons for such prompt readmission. Statistical analysis between groups of patients were performed by using SPSS. Result : The mean age was higher in multiple admissions than those of single admissions, and the average length of stay was longer in multiple admissions than in single admissions. The hospital cost per day is higher in single admissions while the cost per case is higher in multiple admissions. More than half of readmissions occurred within one month after the preceding discharges. Above 15% of the readmission within 6 days after the preceding discharges seemed to have close relationship with quality of care provided during the preceding hospitalization. The death rate of the patients readmitted within 6 days was the highest in comparison with multiple admissions and single admissions. Conclusion : Potential preventable readmissions should be reduced by identifying characteristics of multiple admissions, especially unplanned readmission, and by applying some interventions such as standard predischarge assessment or careful follow-up care after discharge for high risk readmission groups. As the results of these efforts, health care facilities could achieve quality improvement in medical care, and effective use of hospital resources.

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Clinical outcomes of a low-cost single-channel myoelectric-interface three-dimensional hand prosthesis

  • Ku, Inhoe;Lee, Gordon K.;Park, Chan Yong;Lee, Janghyuk;Jeong, Euicheol
    • Archives of Plastic Surgery
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    • v.46 no.4
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    • pp.303-310
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    • 2019
  • Background Prosthetic hands with a myoelectric interface have recently received interest within the broader category of hand prostheses, but their high cost is a major barrier to use. Modern three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has enabled more widespread development and cost-effectiveness in the field of prostheses. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical impact of a low-cost 3D-printed myoelectric-interface prosthetic hand on patients' daily life. Methods A prospective review of all upper-arm transradial amputation amputees who used 3D-printed myoelectric interface prostheses (Mark V) between January 2016 and August 2017 was conducted. The functional outcomes of prosthesis usage over a 3-month follow-up period were measured using a validated method (Orthotics Prosthetics User Survey-Upper Extremity Functional Status [OPUS-UEFS]). In addition, the correlation between the length of the amputated radius and changes in OPUS-UEFS scores was analyzed. Results Ten patients were included in the study. After use of the 3D-printed myoelectric single electromyography channel prosthesis for 3 months, the average OPUS-UEFS score significantly increased from 45.50 to 60.10. The Spearman correlation coefficient (r) of the correlation between radius length and OPUS-UEFS at the 3rd month of prosthetic use was 0.815. Conclusions This low-cost 3D-printed myoelectric-interface prosthetic hand with a single reliable myoelectrical signal shows the potential to positively impact amputees' quality of life through daily usage. The emergence of a low-cost 3D-printed myoelectric prosthesis could lead to new market trends, with such a device gaining popularity via reduced production costs and increased market demand.

The Management of Chronic Wound with Modified Portable Negative Pressure Therapy (만성 창상의 치료에서 이동식 음압요법의 신고안)

  • Kim, Jee Soo;Yoon, In Mo;Yoo, Jung Seok
    • Archives of Plastic Surgery
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    • v.35 no.2
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    • pp.223-228
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    • 2008
  • Purpose: V.A.C. is a new concept which is closed dressing with negative pressure to promote wound healing. It has been widely used as the treatment of chronic and acute wounds such as pressure sores, burns, stasis ulcers, and other complicated wounds. However It has disadvantages such as high cost and the need of specific equipment. In this article, we described new method to overcome these disadvantages. Methods: We made newly innovated equipment with 50 cc syringe and spring to create negative pressure. From May 2006 to May 2007, we applied it to two patients with chronic wound. Results: The treatment period was 5 weeks for one case and 3 weeks for the other case. Both patients were healed completely without admission and wound healing was accelerated. During follow-ups, there were no complications. The mean cost for single dressing was 9,590 won. Conclusion: Modified portable negative therapy using newly innovated equipment could accelerate wound healing better than conventional dressing. It lowers the number of dressings, saves cost of treatment, and enables treatment as outpatient basis.

Immunization schedule Recommended by Korean Pediatric Society, 2008 (2008년 대한소아과학회 예방접종 스케줄)

  • Lee, Hoan Jong
    • Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.1-4
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    • 2008
  • Immunizations are among the most cost-effective and widely used public health interventions. This is a report a revision of recommendation of immunization for children by Korean Pediatric Society. Immunization. Vaccines were divided into 4 groups. 1) Vaccines that are recommended to all infants and children (BCG, hepatitis B vaccine, DTaP, Td, Polio vaccine, Japanese encephalitis vaccine, MMR, varicella vaccine, influenza vaccine [6-23 months of age], H. influenzae type b vaccine), 2) those that can be administered to all infants and children, but decision of administration is made by parents (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, hepatitis A vaccine, influenza vaccine [healthy children ${\geq}24$ months of age], rotavirus vaccine, human papilloma virus vaccine), 3) those that should be given to high risk group (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine [high risk patients ${\geq}24$ months of age], influenza vaccine [high risk patients ${\geq}24$ months of age], typhoid vaccine), and 4) those administered for control of outbreaks or prevention of emerging infectious diseases. Immunization schedule recommended by Korean Pediatric Society in 2008 is presented.

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A Study on Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment at Convalescent Hospitals (요양병원에 내원한 경도인지장애환자의 진료특성에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Youn-Jeong;Kim, Doo Ree;Kim, Kwang-Hwan
    • Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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    • v.9 no.8
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    • pp.77-85
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    • 2018
  • Dementia among the diseases occurring in the old age is recognized as a disease to be solved at the national level and systematic management is being carried out. However, the awareness and response of the mild cognitive disorder, which is the middle stage of normal aging and dementia, are insufficient and social costs are increasing every year. The subjects of the study were 303 hospitalized patients whose primary diagnosis was mild cognitive impairment (F067) in a nursing hospital located in one district in 2016. The number of days of hospitalization was shorter in autumn and longer in winter or in hospital discharge. The cost of treatment for patients with mild cognitive impairment is lower in autumn and higher in winter or in 'discharge' of medical treatment results. The total cost of medical treatment was high in the winter by season in the ADL 6-12 and ADL 13-20 groups. Difference in the cost of medical treatment according to the characteristics of medical treatment, the medical expenses were the highest when the number of corporal disease was 5 ~ 8. In the medical treatment results, the ADL 6-12 point group and the ADL 13-20 point group had high medical expenses in 'continue'. Considering the clinical characteristics of mild cognitive impairment and considering that 10-15% of the patients with mild cognitive impairment progress to dementia every year, early detection and treatment of mild cognitive impairment is an effective and potentially important task for reducing potential social and dementia patients.

Clinical Outcomes of Diffuse Axonal Injury According to Radiological Grade

  • Lee, Hak-Jae;Sun, Hyun-Woo;Lee, Jae-Seok;Choi, Nak-Joon;Jung, Yoon-Joong;Hong, Suk-Kyung
    • Journal of Trauma and Injury
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    • v.31 no.2
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    • pp.51-57
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    • 2018
  • Purpose: Patients with diffuse axonal injury experience various disabilities and have a high cost of treatment. Recent researches have revealed the underlying mechanism and pathogenesis of diffuse axonal injury. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the radiological grading of diffuse axonal injury and the clinical outcomes of patients. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2016, among 294 patients with traumatic brain injury, 44 patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A total of 18 patients were enrolled in this study except for other cerebral injuries, such as cerebral hemorrhage or hypoxic brain damage. Demographic data, clinical data, and radiological findings were retrospectively reviewed. The grading of diffuse axonal injury was analyzed based on patient's MRI findings. Results: For the most severe diffuse axonal injury patients, prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay (p=0.035), hospital stay (p=0.012), and prolonged mechanical ventilation (p=0.030) were observed. However, there was no significant difference in healthcare-associated infection rates between MRI grading (p=0.123). Massive transfusion, initial hemoglobin and lactate levels, and MRI gradings were found to be highly significant in predicting the duration of unconsciousness. Conclusions: This study showed that patients with high grade diffuse axonal injury have prolonged ICU stays and significantly longer hospital stays. Deteriorated mental patients with high energy injuries should be evaluated to identify diffuse axonal injuries by using an appropriate imaging tool, such as MRI. It will be important to predict the duration of consciousness recovery using MRI scans.