• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3753-3757
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• 2016

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether electrochemotherapy is a clinically and cost-effective treatment option against skin tumors. Materials and Methods: We performed an analysis of the current literature based on database searches in PubMed/MEDLINE and we included articles till July 2012. Terms used for the search were 'electrochemotherapy', 'skin cancer', 'recurrence', and 'cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors'. Only papers published in English were included. In addition, we performed an analysis of the cost effectiveness of the method. Results: The combination of physics and chemistry is the foundation for electrochemotherapy and its efficacy, independent of the tumor histology. Clinical data showed that ECT is well tolerated and can be used in difficult cases without other available treatment options. The analysis also showed that the treatment is feasible and cost-effective. Conclusions: Electrochemotherapy is a clinically efficient safe and cost-effective treatment and clinicians should not hesitate to use it as alternative therapeutic modality or as palliative treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3271-3276
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• 2016

Background: Intracranial nonvestibular schwannomas arising from various cranial nerves excluding CN VIII are uncommon. Recently, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) have been widely reported as effective treatment modalities for nonvestibular schwannomas. The purpose of this study was to study the long term clinical outcome for nonvestibular schwannomas treated with both X-Knife and CyberKnife (CK) radiosurgery at one institution. Materials and Methods: From 2004 to 2013, fifty-two nonvestibular schwannoma patients were included in this study, 33 patients (63%) were treated with CK, and 19 (37%) were treated with X-Knife. The majority of the tumors were jugular foramen schwannomas (38%) and trigeminal schwannomas (27%). HSRT was given for 45 patients (86%), whereas CSRT was for 6 (12%) and SRS for 1 (2%). Results: The median pretreatment volume was $9.4cm^3$ (range, $0.57-52cm^3$). With the median follow up time of 36 months (range, 3-135), the 3 and 5 year progression free survival was 94 % and 88%, respectively. Tumor size was decreased in 13 (25%), stable in 29 (56%), and increased in 10 (19%). Among the latter, 3 (30%) required additional treatment because of neurologic deterioration. No patient was found to develop any new cranial nerve deficit after SRS/SRT. Conclusions: These data confirmed that SRS/SRT provide high tumor control rates with low complications. Large volume tumors and cystic expansion after radiation should be carefully followed up with neurological examination and MRI, because it may frequently cause neurological deterioration requiring further surgery.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.267-276
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• 2017

Purpose: Different esophagojejunostomy (EJ) reconstruction methods are used after totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG), and none is considered a standard technique. This report describes a 2-layer hand-sewn EJ technique during TLTG; we also evaluated postoperative morbidity associated with this technique. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all consecutive patients who underwent TLTG for gastric cancer (GC) from 2012 to 2016 at 2 affiliated teaching hospitals. All participating surgeons performed standardized intracorporeal 2-layer hand-sewn EJ. Results: We included 51 patients who underwent TLTG for GC and standardized EJ anastomosis. Twenty-seven (53%) were male, and the median age was 60 (36-87) years. The average operative time was $337{\pm}71minutes$ and intraoperative bleeding was $160{\pm}107mL$. There were no open conversions related to EJ. Postoperative morbidity was observed in 9 (17.0%) patients. There was no postoperative mortality. EJ leakage was observed in 2 patients (3.8%) and 1 patient (1.9%) developed EJ stenosis. Patients with leakage were managed non-operatively and the patient with stenosis required endoscopic dilation. The median length of hospital stay was 8 (6-29) days. Conclusions: Two-layer hand-sewn EJ during TLTG for GC is a feasible and safe technique. This method avoids a laparotomy for reconstruction and the disadvantages associated with laparoscopic introduction of mechanical staplers for EJ, and provides an alternative for alimentary tract reconstruction after TLTG.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.17-27
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• 1996

This study is on the suitability of unit plan of out-patient department of general hospital. In this study, we make a survey and behavioural check of a general hospital in Seoul and a conclusion was derived from the research.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.50-63
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• 1997

Background : A pressure sore was defined as any skin lesion caused by unrelieved pressure and resulting in damage to underlying tissue. The health care institutions in the United States were reported the incident rate of pressure sores ranging from 6 to 14 %. Intensive Care Unit needed highest quality of care has been found over 40% incidence rate of pressure sore. Also, Annual expenditures for the care of pressure sores in patients in the United States have been estimated to be $7.5 billion; furthermore, 50 percent more nursing time is required to care for patients with pressure sore in comparison to the time needed to implement preventive measures against pressure sore formation. However, In Korea, there were little reliable reports, or researches, about incidence rates of pressure sore in health care institution including intensive care unit and about the integrated approach like CQI action team for risk assessment, prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers. Therefore, this study was to develop pressure sore risk assessment tool and the protocol for prevention of pressure sore formation through CQI action team activities, to monitor incident rate of pressure sore and the length of sore formation for patients at high risk, and to approximately estimate nursing time for sore dressing during research period as the effect of CQI action team. Method : CQI action team in intensive care unit, launched since early 1996, reviewed the literature for the standardized risk assessment tool, developed the pressure sore assessment tool based on the Braden Scale, tested its validity, compared on statistics including incidence rate of pressure sore for patients at high risk. Throughout these activities, CQI action team was developed the protocol, called as St. Marys hospital Intensive Care Unit Pressure Sore Protocol, shifted the emphasis from wound treatment to wound prevention. After applied the protocol to patients at high risk, the incident rate and the period of prevention against pressure development were tested with those for patients who received care before implementation of protocol by Chi-square and Kaplan-Meier Method of Survival Analysis. Result : The CQI action team found that these was significant difference of in incidence rate of pressure sores between patients at high risk (control group) who received care before implementation of protocol and those (experimental group) who received it after implementation of protocol (p<.05). 25% possibility of pressure sore formation was shown for the patients with 6th hospital day in ICU in control group. In experimental group, the patients with 10th hospital day had 10% possibility of pressure sore. Therefore, there was significant difference(p<.05) in survival rate between two groups. Also, nursing time for dressing on pressure sore in experimental group was decreased as much as 50% of it in control group. Conclusion : The collaborative team effort led to reduced incidence, increased the length of prevention against pressure sore, and declined nursing care times for sore dressing. However, there have had several suggestions for future study. The preventive care system for pressure sore should be applied to patients at moderate, or low risk throughout continuous CQI team activities based on Bed Sore Indicator Fact Sheet. Hospital-wide supports, such as incentives, would be offered to participants for keeping strong commitment to CQI team. Also, Quality Information System monitoring incidents and estimating cost of poor quality, like workload (full time equivalence) or financial loss, regularly in a hospital has to be developed first for supporting CQI team activities as well as empowering hospital-wide QI implementation. Being several limitations, this study would be one of the report cards for the CQI team activities in intensive care unit of an acute hospital and a trial of quality improvement of health care in Korea.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.84-94
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• 2001

Background : in order to adapt to changes of the medical environm interests that is drawn in ambulatory surgery are increased as a method of approaching a patients' satisfaction and cost-effective management. The purpose of this study is to a assess the operation which is able to perform through ambulatory care unit, to identify the problem in ambulatory surgery, and to increased the opportunity of ambulatory surgery with safety. Methods : Between May 13th, 1998 and June 30th, 2000, we performed surgical treatment through ambulatory care unit, and evaluate the results of them. The sorts of operation, duration of stay in the hospital, total cost of treatment, satisfaction of patients and safety if anesthesia were assessed. Results : We performed ambulatory surgery without serve complications and the patients were satisfied with surgical treatment through ambulatory care unit. In comparison of ambulatory and admission surgery, there was a reduction of cost to 16.7~25.3% in ambulatory surgery. Also, the duration of admission was 2 days shorter than admission surgery. Conclusions : According to our results, the surgical treatment through ambulatory care unit is safe and useful method that increase the quality of medical service, satisfaction of patients and reduce the cost of treatments.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.134-143
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• 2022

Purpose: The study aimed to understand the delirium experience of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Methods: We performed a qualitative study using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Eleven patients, who experienced delirium according to the Confusion Assessment Method for ICU, participated after transferring to general wards from the ICU. Individual in-depth semi-structured interviews ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours in length were conducted between November 2018 and August 2019. Results: Nine themes and four theme clusters emerged. The four theme clusters were: 1) "Overwhelmed by fear," which describes the experience of a patient close to death and the feeling of difficulty in understanding disorganized thinking; 2) "Anxious about not understanding the situation," which means that patients' sense of time and space were disordered in the ICU; 3) "Being deserted," which indicates the feeling of being separated from others and yourself; and 4) "Resistance to protect my dignity," which indicates that the dignity and autonomy of an individual in the patient's position at the ICU, are ignored. Conclusion: Nursing interventions are needed that would enable patients to maintain orientation and self-esteem in the ICU. In addition, healthcare providers need to provide information about the unfamiliar environment in the ICU in advance.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship among the attitudes on exercise, physical activity and quality of life (QOL) in hemodialysis patients. Methods: A total of 42 patients in a hemodialysis unit participated in this study. Physical activity level was measured directly by 6 minute walking test and grip strength test. Structured questionnaires were also used for measuring their attitudes on exercise, physical activity and QOL. Participants' medical records were reviewed for obtaining their biochemical and clinical information. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson correlation, and multiple liner regression. Results: A significant positive correlation between participants' attitudes and physical activity level measured by International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was found. And the physical activity level measured by Korea Activity Scale/Index (KASI) was significantly related to QOL. Conclusion: This study shows that QOL of the hemodialysis patients was significantly associated with their physical activity level.