• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.45-66
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to analyze related factors affecting profitability on general hospitals(300-499 beds). The data were derived from survey by the Korean Hospital Association on 33 hospitals during 10 years (from 1993 to 2002). Profitability was measured by 3 ratios - net profit to total assets, normal profit to total assets and operating margin to gross revenue - as dependent variables. Independent variables were classified by general factors (ownership, number of bed, period of establishment, region), financial factors (total asset turnover, current ratio, liabilities to total assets, personnel costs per operation profit, material costs per operation profits), productivity index(number of daily patient per nurse), the score of quality assurance activity and the time lag score. Multiple regression model was used in this study. First, Number of bed, region was not statistically significant for profitability. But ownership was affect positively to normal profit to total assets and operating margin to gross revenue. Private hospitals had higher profitability than that of public hospitals Second, the score of quality assurance activity was not statistically significant to profitability. Third, Those hospitals having more daily patient per nurse had significantly higher profitability than the others. Fourth, Those hospitals having higher proportion in total asset turnover had significantly higher profitability than other hospitals. But liabilities to total assets and liquidity ratio had no difference to the profitability. Those hospitals having higher proportion in personnel costs and material costs per operation profits had significantly lower hospital profitability than others.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.87-103
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• 2018

Purpose: This study investigates the best appointment pattern which can enhance customer's satisfaction and hospital's efficient management reflecting plastic surgery clinic's service characteristics. Methodology: The data of this study is obtained from Plastic surgery Clinic which is located in the civic center. By collecting and analyzing the data, we build the simulation model using ARENA. Based on 5 appointment patterns that was suggested in formal appointment scheduling studies, we experiment 3 simulation models; 'Basic Appointment Pattern' that has no restriction, 'Restriction on Second Customer' that restricts the number of second customer's in each slot, 'Restriction on Process Time' that restricts the number of second customer who has long process time in each slot. We can check robustness of the appointment patterns by experimenting on off-peak day and peak day, during peak season. Findings: This study confirms that these 2 restrictions can give a better result than 'Basic Appointment Pattern' that just simply distributes customers by number. Especially, the performance of Triangle-like pattern which is the best appointment pattern in the formal study has been improved by adding restrictions. Based on 'DET', 'Restriction on Second Customer' shows a better result. Meanwhile, based on 'E(WT)', 'Restriction on Process Time' shows a better result. Overall, based on 'DET+E(WT)', 'Restriction on Second Customer' shows a better result. Practical Implications: The purpose of each hospital may alter as demand for plastic surgery grows increasingly. Thus, each hospital should be always prepared to introduce appointment pattern for changed purpose. In order to respond flexibly to these changes, it is necessary for medical personnel to improve the awareness or for hospital to create an environment by constructing appointment program so that medical personnel does not need to put more labor on work.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.129-144
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of emotional labor and to identify affecting factors on emotional labor among one university hospital employees. Material and Method : This study was based on cross-sectional, self-administered, and Internet-based survey. The survey was conducted from Mar. 2 to Mar. 28. 2011. Total subjects were 812 employees working in one university hospital. Total response rate was 61.5%. Modified evaluation tool was used, which was originally developed by Morris and Feldman, to measure the level of emotional labor among hospital personnel. In order to identify the affecting factors on high level of emotional labor, we conducted logistic regression. The SPSS statistical software package was used to perform the statistical analysis. All statistical tests were 2-sided and a p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results : Average score of emotional labor was 3.06. Employees(3.39) who are working at the emergency department and hemodialysis room indicated the highest level of emotional labor, followed by wards(3.14), department of administration(3.14), department of ambulatory cares(3.06). The factors affecting on the high level of emotional labor were the highest level of schooling, types of department, and types of personality(p<0.05). Conclusion : The survey results showed that there was significant level of emotional labors among hospital employees. Therefore, the efforts to reduce the level of emotional labors are needed.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.44.1-44.11
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• 2023

Background: A series of breast cancer cases were recently reported in a tertiary university hospital in South Korea. Nurses are generally exposed to risk factors for breast cancer such as night shift work, antineoplastic agents, and job strain. However, the epidemiological evidence of excess incidence among nurses remains lacking. This study aims to investigate the excess incidence of breast cancer among nurses in a tertiary university hospital and provide epidemiological evidence of occupational risk factors. Methods: A retrospective cohort was developed using personnel records of female workers in the nursing department who worked from January 2011 to June 2021 in a tertiary university hospital in South Korea. Sick leave records were used to identify cases of breast cancer. The standardized incidence ratio of breast cancer among nurses was compared to the general population. Results: A total of 5,509 nurses were followed up for 30,404 person-years, and 26 breast cancer cases were identified. This study revealed a significantly increased breast cancer incidence among all included nurses, with a standardized incidence ratio of 1.65 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-2.41), compared to the general population. Workers, who handle antineoplastic agents in their representative department and current and/or former department, had significantly elevated breast cancer standardized incidence ratios of 2.73 (95% CI: 1.008-5.94) and 3.39 (95% CI: 1.46-6.68), respectively. Conclusions: This study provides significant evidence of increased breast cancer risk among nursing staff in a hospital setting, particularly those who handle antineoplastic drugs. Measures that reduce exposure to risk factors should be implemented, especially anticancer drugs, to protect healthcare professionals. Further research at a national level that focuses on healthcare workers is necessary to validate breast cancer incidence and its contributing factors.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.31-42
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that affect employee satisfaction according to hospital size, job group and career at hospitals. Methods : Data were collected from 4,307 employees working at 5 university hospitals. Statistics were done with the SPSS program version 21.0. Results : There were significant differences in employee satisfaction according to hospital size, job group and career. Additionally, there were positive correlations between each of the factors for employee satisfaction and overall employee satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis showed that overall employee satisfaction was affected by factors such as job, communication, personnel and leadership according to hospital size, job group and career. Conclusions : The results of this study suggest that by identifying the differences in satisfaction of employees who are working in different circumstances and providing resources to satisfy employee needs, hospital employers can promote the growth of the hospital by reducing employee turnover.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.329-338
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• 2004

The purposes of this study were to : a) develop the quality assessment tool of hospital foodservice management, b) evaluate the S hospital's foodservice quality by this tool, and c) do the feasibility study about this tool in hospital food-service field by establishing quality management strategies. The developed quality assessment tool of hospital food-service management was consisted of 20 items for quality evaluation by Likert 5 point scale and two additional questions with the most satisfactory item and the most unsatisfactory item. As a result of evaluation, S hospital's foodservice quality was somewhat high, on the factor 'personnel attitude', especially. The IPA technique proved nine items including Q5, Q7, Q8, Q11, Q12, Q13, Q15, Q16, Q17 were in 'Doing Great, Keep It Up' and seven items such as Q1, Q2, Q3, Q6, Q9, Q18, Q19 that got high expectation and low perception needed to be focused in quality management strategy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.211-222
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• 2017

Purpose: To develop staffing levels for nursing personnel (registered nurses and nursing assistants) to provide inpatients with integrated nursing care that includes, in addition to professional nursing care, personal care previously provided by patients' families or private caregivers. Methods: A time & motion study was conducted to observe nursing care activities and the time spent by nursing personnel, families, and private caregivers in 10 medical-surgical units. The Korean Patient Classification System-1 (KPCS-1) was used for the nurse manager survey conducted to measure staffing levels and patient needs for nursing care. Results: Current nurse to patient ratios from the time-motion study and the survey study were 1:10 and 1:11, respectively. Time spent in direct patient care by nursing personnel and family/private caregivers was 51 and 130 minutes per day, respectively. Direct nursing care hours correlated with KPCS-1 scores. Nursing personnel to patient ratio required to provide integrated inpatient care ranged from 1:3.9 to 1:6.1 in tertiary hospitals and from 1:4.4 to 1:6.0 in general hospitals. The functional nursing care delivery system had been implemented in 38.5% of the nursing units. Conclusion: Findings indicate that appropriate nurse staffing and efficient nursing care delivery systems are required to provide integrated inpatient nursing care.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.3
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• pp.232-238
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• 2015

Background: A relationship between low vitamin D levels and the development or outcomes of respiratory diseases has been identified. However, there is no data on the vitamin D status in patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP). We evaluated the vitamin D status in patients with AEP among South Korean military personnel. Methods: We prospectively compared the serum levels of total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], 25(OH)D3, and 25(OH)D2 among patients with AEP, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Results: In total, 65 patients with respiratory diseases, including AEP (n=24), PTB (n=19), and CAP (n=22), were identified. Of the 24 patients with AEP, 2 (8%) had deficient total 25(OH)D levels (<10 ng/mL), 17 (71%) had insufficient total 25(OH)D levels (${\geq}10$ to <30 ng/mL), and only 5 (21%) had sufficient total 25(OH)D levels (${\geq}30$ to <100 ng/mL). The difference in the total 25(OH)D levels among patients with AEP, PTB, and CAP was not statistically significant (p=0.230). The median levels of total 25(OH)D, 25(OH)D3, and 25(OH)D2 were 22.84, 22.84, and 0.00 ng/mL, respectively, and no differences in the 25(OH)D level were present among patients with AEP, PTB, and CAP with the exception of the total 25(OH)D level between patients with AEP and PTB (p=0.042). Conclusion: We have shown that low vitamin D levels are frequently found in patients with AEP and are comparable with those in patients with PTB and CAP.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.184-188
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• 2020

Background: Many critically ill patients require transfer to a higher-level hospital for complex medical care. Despite the publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for pediatric interhospital transportation services and the establishment of many pediatric transport programs, adverse events during pediatric transport still occur. Purpose: To determine the incidence of adverse events occurring during pediatric transport and explore their complications and risk factors. Methods: This prospective observational study explored the adverse events that occurred during the interhospital transport of all pediatric patients referred to the pediatric intensive care unit of Ramathibodi Hospital between March 2016 and June 2017. Results: There were 122 pediatric transports to the unit. Adverse events occurred in 25 cases (22%). Physiologic deterioration occurred in 15 patients (60%). Most issues (11 events) involved circulatory problems causing patient hypotension and poor tissue perfusion requiring fluid resuscitation or inotropic administration on arrival at the unit. Respiratory complications were the second most common cause (4 events). Equipment-related adverse events occurred in 5 patients (20%). The common causes were accidental extubation and endotracheal tube displacement. Five patients had both physiologic deterioration and equipment-related adverse events. Regarding transport personnel, the group without complications more often had a physician escort than the group with complications (92% vs. 76%; relative risk, 2.4; P=0.028). Conclusion: The incidence of adverse events occurring during the transport of critically ill pediatric patients was 22%. Most events involved physiological deterioration. Escort personnel maybe the key to preventing and appropriately monitoring complications occurring during transport.

• International Journal of Quality Innovation
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 2001

Personnel engaged in the medical field have implemented continual improvement by team activities in an effort to construct a system that reduces the risks involved in medical care. Knowledge in total quality management (TQM), especially statistical quality control (SQC) developed for industry, seems to be applicable to medical care. This paper describes the application of SQC to continual improvement in medical care.