• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.309-316
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• 2014

Objectives: This study aimed to test our hypothesis that a raise in the emergency fee implemented on March 1, 2013 has increased the proportion of patients with emergent symptoms by discouraging non-urgent emergency department visits. Methods: We conducted an analysis of 728 736 patients registered in the National Emergency Department Information System who visited level 1 and level 2 emergency medical institutes in the two-month time period from February 1, 2013, one month before the raise in the emergency fee, to March 31, 2013, one month after the raise. A difference-in-difference method was used to estimate the net effects of a raise in the emergency fee on the probability that an emergency visit is for urgent conditions. Results: The percentage of emergency department visits in urgent or equivalent patients increased by 2.4% points, from 74.2% before to 76.6% after the policy implementation. In a group of patients transferred using public transport or ambulance, who were assumed to be least conscious of cost, the change in the proportion of urgent patients was not statistically significant. On the other hand, the probability that a group of patients directly presenting to the emergency department by private transport, assumed to be most conscious of cost, showed a 2.4% point increase in urgent conditions (p<0.001). This trend appeared to be consistent across the level 1 and level 2 emergency medical institutes. Conclusions: A raise in the emergency fee implemented on March 1, 2013 increased the proportion of urgent patients in the total emergency visits by reducing emergency department visits by non-urgent patients.

• 한국응급구조학회지
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.20-32
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• 1999

The purpose of this retrospective research of 603 patients who were transferred to the emergency medical center of university hospital from 1 Jan, 1998 to 31 Jan, 1998 was making of basic data for emergency medical transfer system improvement countermeasure and the point at issue of overlapping reexamination ststus of patients transfered to emergency medical center of university hospital from 1,2 level hospital. The data analysis was done by SPSS, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation. The results were as follows: 1. Male to female ratio was 1.7:1 and peak age group was patients over forties and under nine years of age(70.5%) 2. Traumatic patients were 17.8%, motor vehicle accident patients were 16.7% and Non-traumatic patients were 65.3%. Transferring hospital was divided into 2groups: primary hospital, secondary hospital. The majority was secondary hospital(73.3%). The result of symptom severity classification of patients transferred to 3rd emergency medical center was urgent patients 32.5%, emergency patients 33.58%, non-emergency patients 34.0% 3. Most highest score items amoung overlapping reexamination of patients transfered to emergency medical center of university hospital from 1,2 level hospital were CBC test, simple X-ray (0.93점), CBC test(0.97점), urin test(0.88점), chemistry test(0.94점), simple X-ray(0.98점), CT(0.42점), EKG(0.89점) amoung overlapping reexamination of motor vehicle accident patients were more higher reexamination score than traumatic patients and non-traumatic patients 4. CBC test(P<0.001), urin test(P<0.001), chemistry test(P<0.001), simple X-ray(P<0.001), CT(P<0.01), EKG(P<0.001) amoung overlapping reexamination of patients in 2 level hospital were more higher reexamination score than 1 level hospital patients 5. About symptom severity classification of patients transferred to 3rd emergency medical center, CBC test(P<0.001), urin test(P<0.001), chemistry test(P<0.001), simple X-ray(P<0.01), CT(P<0.001), EKG(P<0.001) amoung overlapping reexamination items in urgent patients were more higher reexamination score than other patients 6. Influencing variation for overlapping reexamination in hospital was CBC test(P<0.001), CT (P<0.001), MRI (P<0.05).

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.91-97
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• 2015

Purpose: Occult hip fracture is not evident on radiographs and the diagnosis is often missed or delayed. This study was undertaken in order to identify the clinical characteristics and complications of patients with a delayed diagnosis of an occult hip fracture. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with occult hip fracture who had normal findings on initial radiographs, the diagnosis was made on additional studies between August 2006 and February 2012. Patients who were diagnosed as having occult hip fractures at the first visit were categorized as non-delayed group and those who were not diagnosed at the first visit were categorized as delayed group. Results: Non-delayed group included 43 patients (86%). In the remaining 7 patients (delayed group), the diagnosis was delayed by a mean of 9.6 days (range 3~19 days). Patients who were diagnosed with an occult fracture on the initial visit presented later than those with a delayed diagnosis (41/43 .vs. 3/7, p=0.002). Other clinical features were no difference between the two groups. Patients in the delayed diagnosis group were more likely to have fracture displacement (4/7 .vs. 0/43)15patients in non-delayed group (34.9%) needed operative treatment, whereas all delayed patients (100%) needed operative treatment. Conclusion: A delayed diagnosis of occult hip fractures was associated with increased rate of displacement and operation. In patients suspected of having occult hip fractures, additional studies should be recommended.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.137-142
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of drug induced anaphylactis and anaphylactic shock in patients who were admitted to the emergency department Methods: We retrospectively collected the data on patients with drug induced anaphylaxis and who were admitted to the emergency department from January 2001 to June 2009. The study group was divided into the non-shock and shock groups according to whether the systolic blood pressure more than 90mmHg. The initial demographic data, the causes of drug-induced anaphylaxis, the clinical manifestations, the treatment and the prognosis were reviewed for 72 patients. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was $47.9P{\pm}14.2$ years old and there were 40 male patients and 32 female patients. There were 26 patients in the non-shock group and 46 in the shock group. The mean age was older in the shock group than in the non-shock group ($51.5{\pm}15.1$ vs $42.5{\pm}10.6$, p-0.002). A history of drug allergy was more common in the shock group, but no difference was found for the comorbid chronic diseases between the two groups. Radio-contrast media was the most common cause, followed non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, but there is no difference in the causes between the two groups. The symptoms of cyanosis, syncope, sweating and dizziness were more frequently manifested in the shock group. The administration of intravenous fluid and injection of subcutaneous epinephrine at the emergency department were more frequent in the shock group than in the non-shock group. Conclusion: For the patients who were admitted to the emergency department with drug induced anaphylaxis, the mean age was older and the symptoms of cyanosis, syncope, sweating, dizziness were more frequent in the anaphylactic shock patients than in the non-shock group. More treatments were given at the emergency department to the anaphylactic shock patients.

• 대한응급의학회지
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.437-448
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• 2018

Objective: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) requires time-dependent reperfusion therapy, and early recognition of AIS is important to patient outcomes. This study was conducted to identify the clinical features and risk factors of AIS patients that are missed during the early stages of diagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed AIS patients admitted to a hospital through the emergency department. AIS patients were defined as ischemic stroke patients who visited the emergency department within 6 hours of symptom onset. Patients were classified into two groups: an activation group (A group), in which patients were identified as AIS and the stroke team was activated, and a non-activation group (NA group), for whom the stroke team was not activated. Results: The stroke team was activated for 213 of a total of 262 AIS patients (81.3%), while it was not activated for the remaining 49 (18.7%). The NA group was found to be younger, have lower initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, lower incidence of previous hypertension, and a greater incidence of cerebellum and cardio-embolic infarcts than the A group. The chief complaints in the A group were traditional stroke symptoms, side weakness (61.0%), and speech disturbance (17.8%), whereas the NA group had non-traditional symptoms, dizziness (32.7%), and decreased levels of consciousness (22.4%). Independent factors associated with missed stroke team activation were nystagmus, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, gait disturbance, and general weakness. Conclusion: A high index of AIS suspicion is required to identify such patients with these findings. Education on focused neurological examinations and the development of clinical decision tools that could differentiate non-stroke and stroke are needed.

• 한국의료질향상학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.20-27
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• 2003

Background : The doctors' strike was not only a manmade disaster but also a chance to apply a new pattern of emergency medical service for patients. We hope to propose a new pattern of emergency medical service by comparing the patterns of emergency medical service given by resident and staff during the doctors' strike. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of patients who received emergency medical service in the Emergency Department(ED) of Deagu Catholic University Hospital during 3 days a week prior to the residents' strike (July 21-23, 2000) with those of patients receiving emergency medical service during the first 3 days of the residents' strike (July 28-30, 2000). We evaluated the patient's severity, the cause of the ED visit, the performance on the laboratory study, ECG, and radiological study, the disposition, and the length of ED stay. Also, we compared the collected data by presenting doctor and by patient's severity. Results : The staff performed fewer tests admitted fewer emergent and non-emergent patients than the residents. Also, the length of ED stay was shorter in both the emergent (212.76 vs. 321.40 minutes) and the non-emergent groups (117.68 vs. 171.39 minutes) for patients presenting to staff. Conclusion : It is desirable that emergency medical service is given by staff, not by resident.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.127-134
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• 2005

Purpose: Currently, there is a variety of systems available for predicting prognosis of trauma patients such as trauma score, Injury severity score (ISS) and acid-base variables. But it is not clear that the initial acid-base variables are predictors of prognosis in trauma patients at the emergency department. The objective of this study is to compare the base deficit, lactate and strong ion gap as an early predictor of mortality in trauma patients. Methods: Retrospective record review of 136 trauma patients needed to admit to intensive care unit via emergency department (June 2004 to February 2005). Data included age, injury mechanism, ISS, Revised trauma score (RTS), Multiple organ dysfunction score (MODS), Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation III (APACHE III), Glasgow coma scale (GCS), laboratory profiles, calculated anion gap and strong ion gap. Patients were divided into survivors and non-survivors, shock group and non-shock group with comparison by t-test;significance was assumed for p<0.05. Correlation between acid-base variables and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was evaluated. Results: There was a significant difference between the RTS (p=0.00), APACHE III (p=0.00), MODS (p=0.00), GCS (p=0.00) of survivors and non-survivors. There was no significant difference between the ISS (p=0.082), lactate (p=0.541), base excess (p=0.468) and SIG (p=0.894) of survivors and non-survivors. There was a significant difference between the RTS (p=0.023), APACHE III (p=0.002), lactate (p=0.000), base excess (p=0.000) and SIG (p=0.000) of shock and non-shock group. There was no significant difference between the ISS (p=0.270), MODS (p=0.442) and GCS (p=0.432) of shock and non-shock group. The base excess was most correlated to MABP (r2=0.150). Conclusion: Initial base deficit, serum lactate and SIG are not predictors of mortality in moderate to severe trauma patients. Initial base deficit, serum lactate and SIG are correlated with the mean arterial blood pressure in trauma patients in emergency department.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.96-100
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effects of ethanol in ingested patients by analyzing data from a single institution's registry, Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 50 patients who has ingested drugs with/without ethanol came to emergency department from January 2004 to May 2004. Only patients over 18 years of age were included. Clinical characteristics, general and specific treatment, laboratory finding, complication, and clinical outcomes were obtained from protocol. Patients were divided into two groups: drug ingested with alcohol (ethanol group, n=18), and ingested without alcohol (non-ethanol group, n=32). Results: The age, the amout of ingestion, the time to treatment, the systolic blood pressure, the diastolic blood pressure and the shock duration were not different between two groups. The AST level with the ethanol group was higher than with the non-ethanol group ($230.94\pm518.88$ U/L vs $43.22\pm63.39$ U/L, p=0.002). The ALT level with the ethanol group was higher than with the non-ethanol group ($97.06\pm152.98$ U/L vs $32.75\pm43.10$ U/L, p=0.001). The lactic acid level with the ethanol group was higher than with the non-ethanol group ($7.40\pm6.33$ mmol/L vs $3.77\pm3.10$ mmol/L, p=0.001). The hospital stay duration and the admission rate were not different between two groups. Conlusions: The ethanol increased the levels of serum AST, ALT and lactic acid in intoxicated patients. But the ethanol dose not increase admission rate and duration of admission stay in intoxicated patients.

• 의료ㆍ복지 건축 : 한국의료복지건축학회 논문집
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.55-64
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• 2012

Recently, our country is caused with economic growth and development and city intensive brazier being caused by industrial accident, crime accident and suicide of traffic facility, it is caused by with Western dietary life and the emergency patient is to an increase tendency. And the life increases with medical development and the medical emergency demand of the old people are increasing. Approximately 80% of the patients are non-emergent patients who receive ambulatory care and the rest 20% of the patients are serio us- emergent patients Emergency patients because non-strategy it is doing with function as imported medical treatment and provides, equipment, the operation is being impossible with manpower tribal etc.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.113-120
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• 2006

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of classic heat stroke in Korea and to identify factors of prognosis for heat stroke by comparing a survival group with a non-survival group. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 27 patients with heat stroke who visited the Emergency Department of Kyungpook National University Hospital from March 2001 to February 2005. First, we divided the patients into two groups, the classic heat stroke group and the exertional heat stroke group, and compared them. Second, we compared the survival group with the non-survival group. Age, sex, cause, place where patients were found, underlying diseases, cooling time, performance of endotracheal intubation, initial Glasgow Coma Scale, initial vital sign, and laboratory findings were reviewed. Results: Five of 27 patients in heat stroke died. The classic heat stroke group had 20 patients. They were old and had more patients in the bathroom than the exertional heat stroke group had. The non-survival group showed lower blood pressure, lower initial GCS score, and higher respiratory rate than the survival group. In laboratory findings, the non-survival group also showed lower$HCO_3-$ level, lower albumin level, lower glucose level, more prolonged PT, and higher CK-MB level than the survival group. Delay in recognition of heat stroke and cooling were poor prognostic factors in heat stroke. Conclusion: The classic heat stroke group had patients who were old and found in the bathroom. Early recognition and treatment of heat stroke is important to reduce mortality. Cooling time, initial GCS score, mean arterial pressure, resipratory rate, $HCO_3-$, PT, CK-MB, and albumin seem to be meaningful when forming a prognosis for heat stroke patients.