• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.186-207
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• 2001

Background : This study presented an analysis of healthcare quality indicators using data mining and a development of decision support system for quality improvement. Method : Specifically, important factors influencing the key quality indicators were identified using a decision tree method for data mining based on 8,405 patients who discharged from a medical center during the period between December 1, 2000 and January 31, 2001. In addition, a decision support system was developed to analyze and monitor trends of these quality indicators using a Visual Basic 6.0. Guidelines and tutorial for quality improvement activities were also included in the system. Result : Among 12 selected quality indicators, decision tree analysis was performed for 3 indicators ; unscheduled readmission due to the same or related condition, unscheduled return to intensive care unit, and inpatient mortality which have a volume bigger than 100 cases during the period. The optimum range of target group in healthcare quality indicators were identified from the gain chart. Important influencing factors for these 3 indicators were: diagnosis, attribute of the disease, and age of the patient in unscheduled returns to ICU group ; and length of stay, diagnosis, and belonging department in inpatient mortality group. Conclusion : We developed a decision support system through analysis of healthcare quality indicators and data mining technique which can be effectively implemented for utilization review and quality management in a healthcare organization. In the future, further number of quality indicators should be developed to effectively support a hospital-wide Continuous Quality Improvement activity. Through these endevours, a decision support system can be developed and the newly developed decision support system should be well integrated with the hospital Order Communication System to support concurrent review, utilization review, quality and risk management.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.836-846
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• 2002

Purpose : With the development of neonatal intensive care and the increased use of systemic antibiotics, candida sepsis has become one of the most important causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate and its associated risk factors. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 28 cases with candida sepsis who were admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) of Chonnam University Hospital from July 1995 to June 2001. Twenty-nine patients without candida sepsis were enrolled for the control group to verify the risk factors. Results : The overall incidence of candida sepsis was 0.61% for all NICU admissions and 3.68% for all very low birth weight infants with the gradual increase of the annual prevalance rate over time. The endotracheal intubation, percutaneous central vein catheter(PCVC), umbilical vein catheter, total parenteral nutrition, intralipid and dopamine were more applied than the control group (P<0.01 for all). The durations of mechanical ventilator care, central catheter appliance, nothing per os, and admission were also significantly longer than the control group(P<0.01 for all). Ampicillin/ sulbactam, ceftazidime, amikacin, netilmicin, teicoplanin and imipenem/cilastatin were significantly more used than the control group(P<0.05). The durations of ampicillin/sulbactam, ceftazidime, netilmicin and imipenem/cilastatin administration were also proved to be significant as the risk factors(P<0.01). Conclusion : The average annual prevalence rate of candida sepsis in NICU for six years was 0.61% with gradual increasing tendency over time. The elimination of the above risk factors is important in decreasing neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with candida sepsis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.236-244
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• 2001

Background : Most current research using prognostic scoring systems in critically ill patients have focused on prediction using the first intensive care unit (ICU) day data or daily updated data. Usually the mean ICU length of stay in Korea is longer than in the western world. Consequently, a more cost-effective and practical prognostic parameter is required. The principal aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the seventh day(7th day : the average mean ICU length of stay) APACHE III score in a medical intensive care unit. Methods : 241 medical ICU patients from July 1997 to April 1998 were enrolled. The 1st and 7th scores were measured by using the APACHE III scoring system and compared between survivors and non-survivors. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the $1^{st}$ and $7^{th}$ APACHE III scores and the mortality risk. Results : 1 )The mean length of stay in the ICU was $10.3{\pm}13.8$ days. 2)The mean $1^{st}$ and $7^{th}$ day APACHE III scores were $59.7{\pm}30.9$ and $37.9{\pm}27.7$. 3) The mean $1^{st}$ day APACHE III score was significantly lower in survivors than in non- survivors($49.9{\pm}23.8$ vs $86.3{\pm}32.3$, P<0.0001). 4)The mean $7^{th}$ day APACHE III score was significantly lower in survivors than in non- survivors($30.1{\pm}18.5$ vs $80.1{\pm}30.4$, P<0.0001). 5)The odds ratios among the $1^{st}$ and $7^{th}$ day APACHE III scores and the mortality rate were 1.0507 and 1.0779 respectively. Conclusion : These results suggest that the seventh day APACHE III score is as useful in predicting the outcome as is such like the first day APACHE III score. Therefore, in comparison to the daily APACHE III score, measuring the $1^{st}$ and $7^{th}$ day APACHE III scores are also useful for predicting the prognosis of critically ill patients in terms of cost-effectiveness. It is suggested that the $7^{th}$ day APACHE III score is useful for predicting the clinical outcome.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.4
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• pp.336-340
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• 2015

Background: Potentially harmful unplanned extubation (UE) may occur in patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of UE and its impact on clinical outcomes in patients with MV in a medical ICU (MICU). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated MICU data prospectively collected between December 2011 and May 2014. Results: A total of 468 patients were admitted to the MICU, of whom 450 were on MV. Of the patients on MV, 30 (6.7%) experienced UE; 13 (43.3%) required reintubation after UE, whereas 17 (56.7%) did not require reintubation. Patients who required reintubation had a significantly longer MV duration and ICU stay than did those not requiring reintubation ($19.4{\pm}15.1days$ vs. $5.9{\pm}5.9days$ days and $18.1{\pm}14.2days$ vs. $7.1{\pm}6.5days$, respectively; p<0.05). In addition, mortality rate was significantly higher among patients requiring reintubation than among those not requiring reintubation (54.5% vs. 5.9%; p=0.007). These two groups of patients exhibited no significant differences, within 2 hours after UE, in the fraction of inspired oxygen, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and pH. Conclusion: Although reintubation may not always be required in patients with UE, it is associated with a poor outcome after UE.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.57-66
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative delirium in elderly patients with osteoarthritis surgery and identify risk factors for its development. Methods: This study enrolled 288 patients who underwent osteoarthritis surgery in a hospital between May and November 2014. Data were collected prospectively. The Nursing Delirium Screening Scale was used to detect delirium. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for postoperative delirium. Patients were also followed for outcome. Results: Postoperative delirium developed in 42 patients (14.6%). Logistic regression analysis identified old age, low physical activity, antipsychotic agents, number of catheters, and intensive care unit admission as risk factors. Worse outcomes, including increased hospital mortality, reoperation, and discharge at care facilities, occurred in subjects who developed delirium. Conclusion: Osteoarthritis surgery in elderly patients was associated with a high incidence of postoperative delirium. The results of the this study regarding patient populations vulnerable to delirium should be taken into account so that such patients could be identified preoperatively or in the immediate postoperative period.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.161-171
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• 2005

Background: The management of hepatic injuries has changed dramatically during the past two decade after the technologic breakthroughs in radiologic imaging techniques. Recently, the non-operative management of blunt hepatic trauma has become the standard of care in hemodynamically stable patients. We reviewed our experience of the non-operative management of blunt hepatic trauma. And the purpose of this study was to examine the prognostic factors and indicators affecting the decision for treatment modality of emergent hepatic trauma. Methods: The medical records of 84 patients who were treated for blunt hepatic injury at Masan Samsung Hospital from January 2002 to December 2003. The patients were divided two groups, non-operative(Non-OP) and operative(OP), according to the treatment modality. The two groups were compares for age, sex, mechanism of injury, grade of liver injury scale, combined injury, systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, hemoglobin, hematocrit, WBC count, S-GOT, S-GPT, ALP, transfusion amount during initial 24 hours, amount of infused crystalloid fluid, length of ICU stay, length of ward care, morbidity and mortality. The grade of the liver injury were determined by using the organ injury scale(OSI). Results: Among the 84 patients, 46 cases(54.8%) were managed non-surgically, and 3 cases of Non-OP group were treated by transarterial embolization. Between the two groups, there were significant difference in age, injury grade, combined injury, hemoglobin, hematocrit, initial systolic blood pressure, amount of infused crystalloid fluid, amount of transfusion during the first 24 hours, and length of ICU care, morbidity and mortality.(p<0.05) The overall mortality rate was 8.3%, but 2.2% mortality in the non-operative group. Conclusion: Non-operative management may be considered as a first choice in hemodynamic stable patients with blunt liver trauma. The reliable indicators affecting the treatment modality of blunt hepatic trauma were systolic BP, Hb, Hct, amount of infused crystalloid fluid, amount of transfusion during the first 24 hours, liver injury grade and combined injury. Strict selection of treatment madality and aggresive monitoring with intensive care unit were more important.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.28-41
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• 2003

Background : Because unplanned readmissions to intensive care unit(ICU)might be related with undesirable patient outcomes, we investigated the pattern of and reason for unplanned ICU readmission to provide baseline data for reducing unplanned returns to ICU. Methods : The subjects included all patients who readmitted to ICU during the same hospitalization at a tertiary referral hospital between January 1st and June 30th 2002. Quality improvement(QI) nurse collected the data through medical records and a medical director reviewed the data collected. Results : 1) The average unplanned ICU readmission rate was 5.6%(gastroenterology 14.6%, pediatrics 12.7%, pulmonology 11.9%, neurosurgery 6.3%, general surgery 5.3%, chest surgery 3.9%, and cardiology 3.3%). 2) Among the unplanned readmissions, more than 50% of cases were from patients older than 60 years, and the main categories of diagnose at hospital admission were neurologic disease(29.9%) and cardiovascular disease(27.6%). 3) Of unplanned ICU readmissions, 41.8% had recurrence of the initial problems, 44.8% had occurrence of new problems. And 9.7% required post-operative care after unplanned operations. 4) The most common cause responsible for unplanned ICU readmission were respiratory problem(38.3%) and cardiovascular problem(14.3%). 5) About 40% of unplanned ICU readmission occurred within 3 days after ICU discharge. 6) Average length of stay of the readmitted patients to ICUs were much longer than that of non-readmitted patients. 7) Hospital mortality rate was much higher for unplanned ICU readmitted patients(23.6%) than for non-readmitted patients(1.5%) (P<0.001). Conclusions : This study showed that the unplanned ICU readmitted patients had poor outcomes(high morality and increased length of stay). In addition study results suggest that more attention should be paid to patients in ICU with poor respiratory function or elderly patients, and careful clinical decisions are required at discharged from ICU to general ward.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2021

Background: Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) are significant public health issues in the world, but the epidemiological data pertaining to HAP/VAP is limited in Korea. The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics, management, and clinical outcomes of HAP/VAP in Korea. Methods: This study is a multicenter retrospective cohort study. In total, 206,372 adult patients, who were hospitalized at one of the 13 participating tertiary hospitals in Korea, were screened for eligibility during the six-month study period. Among them, we included patients who were diagnosed with HAP/VAP based on the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)/American Thoracic Society (ATS) definition for HAP/VAP. Results: Using the IDSA/ATS diagnostic criteria, 526 patients were identified as HAP/VAP patients. Among them, 27.9% were diagnosed at the intensive care unit (ICU). The cohort of patients had a median age of 71.0 (range from 62.0 to 79.0) years. Most of the patients had a high risk of aspiration (63.3%). The pathogen involved was identified in 211 patients (40.1%). Furthermore, multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens were isolated in 138 patients; the most common MDR pathogen was Acinetobacter baumannii. During hospitalization, 107 patients with HAP (28.2%) had to be admitted to the ICU for additional care. The hospital mortality rate was 28.1% in the cohort of this study. Among the 378 patients who survived, 54.2% were discharged and sent back home, while 45.8% were transferred to other hospitals or facilities. Conclusion: This study found that the prevalence of HAP/VAP in adult hospitalized patients in Korea was 2.54/1,000 patients. In tertiary hospitals in Korea, patients with HAP/VAP were elderly and had a risk of aspiration, so they were often referred to step-down centers.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.229-235
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• 2011

Background: Following major lung resection, patients have routinely been monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU). Recently, however, patients are increasingly being placed in a general thoracic ward (GTW). We investigated the safety and efficacy of the GTW care after lobectomy for lung cancer. Materials and Methods: 316 patients who had undergone lobectomy for lung cancer were reviewed. These patients were divided into two groups: 275 patients were cared for in the ICU while 41 patients were care for in the GTW immediately post-operation. After propensity score matching, postoperative complications and hospital costs were analyzed. Risk factors for early complications were analyzed with the whole cohort. Results: Early complications (until the end of the first postoperative day) occurred in 11 (3.5%) patients. Late complications occurred in 42 patients (13.3%). After propensity score matching, the incidence of early complications, late complications, and mortality were not different between the two groups. The mean expense was higher in the ICU group. Risk factors for early complications were cardiac comorbidities and low expected forced expiratory volume in one second. The location of postoperative care had no influence on outcome. Conclusion: Immediate postoperative care after lobectomy for lung cancer in a GTW was safe and cost-effective without compromising outcomes in low-risk patients.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of a trauma team's management. Methods: A total of 181 patients with severe trauma were retrospectively divided into two groups. Of these 181 patients, 81 patients without a trauma team admitted between April and October 2008 were assigned to Group 1, and 100 patients with a Trauma team admitted between April and October 2009 were assigned to Group II. We compared general characteristics, the length of stay in the emergency department (ED) and treatment outcomes (24-h packed RBC transfusion, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, 24-h mortality) between these two groups. Results: The length of stay in the ED was significantly reduced in Group II compared to Group I ($p$=0.025). No significant differences were found in mean arterial pressure, Glasgow Coma Scale, Revised Trauma Score, Injury Severity Score, in-hospital mortality and 24-h mortality between the two groups. However, Group II had a lower amount of 24-h packed RBC transfusion and a shorter length of ICU and hospital stay than Group I, although these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Through the establishment of a trauma team, the length of stay in the ED can be reduced remarkably. Furthermore, the need for 24-h packed RBC transfusions and the length of stay in the ICU and hospital were found to be decreased in patients managed by a trauma team.