• Title/Summary/Keyword: Outcomes Measurement

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Subtalar Distraction Bone Block Arthrodesis (Five Cases) (거골하 신연 골편 관절 유합술)

  • Yoo, Chong-Il;Eun, Il-Soo;Jung, Yong-Wook
    • Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.101-106
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    • 2004
  • Purpose: To determine the efficacy of the SDBBA (Subtalar distraction bone block arthrodesis) procedure on patients with late complication of intra-articular calcaneal fractures including subtalar joint arthritis and anterior ankle impingement syndrome. Materials and Methods: Five cases in which the SDBBA procedure was implemented were followed for more than one year. All five patients were male with an average age of 56. Clinically, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and the pain score were assessed. Radiographically, the talocalcaneal height and the talar inclination angle were determined. Results: All five patients achieved subtalar joint fusion. The average pre-operative AOFAS score was 22.8 scores (range, 8-32 scores). At last follow-up, these scores improved to an average of 72.4 scores (range, 64-82 scores). The average pre-operative pain score was 8.2 scores (range, 7-10 scores). At last follow-up, these scores improved to an average of 13.2 (range, 12-15 scores). The average pre-operative talocalcaneal height was 72.8 mm (range, 70-77 mm), average post-operative talocalcaneal height improved to 79.8 mm (range, 78-84 mm). At final follow-up, these measurement was slightly decreased to average 78.6 mm (range, 74-83 mm). The average pre-operative talar inclination angle was 13.2 degrees (range, 12-15 degrees), average post-operative talar inclination angle improvedto 19.2 degrees (range, 15-24 degrees). At final follow-up, these measurement was slightly decreased to average 18.6 degrees (range, 12-24 degrees). Four patients achieved successful outcomes. One patient developed a wound infection with subsequent sural neuropathy as well as collapse of the bone graft. Conclusion: This study shows that the SDBBA procedure successfully restores the talocalcaneal height and tibio-talar relationship. This procedure is useful in surgically managed patients with talo-calcaneal height loss and anterior ankle impingement syndrome due to the late complications of calcaneal intra-articular fractures.

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Evaluation of outcome in nursing practice (간호실무에서의 결과평가)

  • Lee, Byoung-Sook;Kwon, Young-Sook
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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    • v.2 no.2
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    • pp.59-71
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    • 1996
  • Today, quality management is appearing as a critical issue in the field of health care service, partly because of increasing cost of health care. And qualified health care is also accepted as the right of clients, and the responsibility of health professions. So nursing profession can survive and develop only through the quality management of nursing practice like other health professions. Recently, Consumers of nursing service require the effectiveness and the efficiency of nursing practice. Effectiveness and efficiency of nursing practice can be accomplished by outcome evaluation. The focus of outcome evaluation in nurisng practice is on the change which occures in patient's health status with nurisng intervention. Evaluation of outcome is difficult because of some related problems which should be solved, or managed. These problems could be classified as problems of measurement, and attribution. To solve the problems and to evaluate the outcome in nursing practice more accurately, following tasks were suggested. 1) Outcome indicators, and outcome measurement tools should be developed. For these purpose, outcome variables that nursing interventions can contribute primarily should be found out. Also, outcome variables which are driven from nursing theories should be developed. 2) Outcome researches which can explain the effect of nursing care to patient outcomes should be performed. The outcome researches are the methods which can increase the power of nursing profession. 3) Models which can be used for the systematic and scientific quality management in nursing practice should be developed. The models should include outcome variables, and be able to explain the relationship between structure, process, and outcome aspects of quality management. 4) The method which can make patients participate in the evaluation process of quality of nursing practice should be devised. Because outcome evaluation is client-focused evaluation, the perspectives of patients should be emphasized, and reflected in the process of evaluation.

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The Study on the comparative analysis of EFA and CFA (탐색적요인분석과 확인적요인분석의 비교에 과한 연구)

  • Choi, Chang Ho;You, Yen Yoo
    • Journal of Digital Convergence
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    • v.15 no.10
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    • pp.103-111
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    • 2017
  • This study was performed with a view to examine the nature and difference of EFA(Exploratory Factor Analysis) and CFA(Confirmatory Factor Analysis), and to compare the analysis process and result of EFA and CFA with the same data. The result of empirical analysis was as follows. Meanwhile, p.1, p.3 was removed owing to hampering the convergent validity in EFA, p.3 was removed owing to hampering the discriminent validity in CFA. EFA was reduction process of muti measurement variables to a few factor, but CFA was understanding and confirmatory process of measurement and latent variables' relation. Eventually, this study showed that EFA and CFA used different methology, thus the different outcomes appeared although using the same data, and implicated resonable application of methology according to given data.

Economic Evaluation of IT Investments for Emergency Management : A Cost-centric Control Model

  • Kim, Tae-Ha;Lee, Young-Jai
    • Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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    • v.15 no.3
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    • pp.195-208
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    • 2008
  • In an emergency management case, evaluating the economic value of information technology investments is a challenging problem due to the effects of decision making, uncertainty of disasters, and difficulty of measurements. Risk assessment and recovery process, one of the major functions in emergency management, consists of (1) measurement of damages or losses, (2) recovery planning, (3) reporting and approving budgets, (4) auctioning off recovery projects to constructors, and (5) construction for the recovery. Specifically and of our interest, measurement of damages or losses is often a costly and time-consuming process because the wide range of field surveys should be performed by a limited pool of trained agents. Managers, therefore, have to balance accuracy of the field survey against the total time to complete the survey. Using information technologies to support field survey and reporting has great potential to reduce errors and lowers the cost of the process. However, existing cost benefit analysis framework may be problematic to evaluate and justify the IT investment because the cost benefit analysis often include the long-run benefit of IT that is difficult to quantify and overlook the impact of managerial control upon the investment outcomes. Therefore, we present an alternative cost-centric control model that conservatively quantifies all cost savings to replace benefits in cost benefit analysis and incorporate the managerial control. The model provides a framework to examine how managerial decision making and uncertainty of disaster affect the economic value of IT investments. The current project in Emergency Agency in South Korea is introduced as a case to apply the cost-centric control model. Our work helps managers to better evaluate and justify IT-related investment alternatives in emergency management.

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Conformance Evaluation Method by Successively Applying Self-Running Test Mode in Active RFID Tag (능동형 RFID 태그에서 자체 시험 모드를 순차적으로 적용한 적합성 평가방법)

  • Song, Tae-Seung;Kim, Tae-Yeon;Lyou, Joon
    • Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea CI
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    • v.45 no.6
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    • pp.204-212
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    • 2008
  • Active RFID tags are currently used in harbor transportation; they are attached to cargo containers for sea transportation. They are designed to be able to be identified by RFID readers installed at ports in many countries. The international standard ISO/IEC 18047-7 regarding RFID conformance test methods suggests the use of air interface evaluation between an RFID reader and a tag. However, the test method suggested by the international standard is intended to detect a radio signal over only a very short period. Outcomes were uncertain, making it difficult to evaluate the system accurately. This paper proposes a new evaluation method by incorporating a 'self-running test mode' environment into the RFID tags in order to reduce the test time and increase testing accuracy. We found that the application of the suggested method to actual tags improves measurement time and uncertainty over that obtained using existing methods.

The Effective Means to Promote GPS-Based Survey for Cadastral Surveying of GPS Performance Standards and Measures (GPS기반의 효율적인 지적측량성과를 위한 측량기준 및 방안에 대한 연구)

  • Ahn, Jong Soon;Kang, Joon Mook;Yun, Hee Cheon
    • Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
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    • v.21 no.1
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    • pp.65-75
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    • 2013
  • In this study, one of the main aims is to build up a technical foundation for promoting the cadastral resurvey effectively and to improve the accuracy of cadastral surveying is to make use of precise surveying techniques in allowance of position errors as reference accuracy in cadastral resurvey, which is proper to obtain the sufficient accuracy of the cadastral control points, and parcel boundary points by introducing the GNSS-based surveying techniques on cadastral survey. In detail, the existing procedures and outcomes of cadastral survey were compared and analyzed for suggesting a better survey technique than that of the other techniques in a variety of aspects of capability of cadastral survey. The new skills and supports could be upmost importance when doing cadastral survey. What's more, essentially, 'The Measurement Department' makes all the efforts to establish 'The Surveying Regulations'. This could possibly apply GNSS-based surveying technique to the cadastral resurvey for the foreseeable future and this research paper suggested that how to improve absolute accuracy of cadastral reference points by means of putting to use the appropriate models of measurement further.

Individualized ibuprofen treatment using serial B-type natriuretic peptide measurement for symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in very preterm infants

  • Shin, Jeonghee;Lee, Eun Hee;Lee, Jee Hyun;Choi, Byung Min;Hong, Young Sook
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.60 no.6
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    • pp.175-180
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    • 2017
  • Purpose: Plasma level of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), an emerging, sensitive, and specific biomarker of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), rapidly decreases in infants receiving cyclooxygenase inhibitors for ductal closure. We investigated the usefulness of serial BNP measurement as a guide for individual identification of early constrictive responses to ibuprofen in preterm infants with symptomatic PDA (sPDA). Methods: Before March 2010, the standard course of pharmacological treatment was initiated with indomethacin (or ibuprofen) and routinely followed by 2 additional doses at intervals of 24 hours. After April 2010, individualized pharmacological treatment was used, starting with the first dose of ibuprofen and withholding additional ibuprofen doses if the BNP concentration was <600 pg/mL and clinical symptoms of PDA improved. Results: The BNP-guided group received significantly fewer doses of ibuprofen than the standard group did during the first course of treatment and the entire study period. The need for further doses of cyclooxygenase inhibitors and for surgical ligation was not significantly different between the 2 groups. No significant differences were seen in clinical outcomes and/or complications related to sPDA and/or pharmacological treatment. Conclusion: Individualized BNP-guided pharmacological treatment may be used clinically to avoid unnecessary doses of cyclooxygenase inhibitors without increasing the ductal closure failure and the short-term morbidity related to sPDA.

It is Time to Have Rest: How do Break Types Affect Muscular Activity and Perceived Discomfort During Prolonged Sitting Work

  • Ding, Yi;Cao, Yaqin;Duffy, Vincent G.;Zhang, Xuefeng
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.207-214
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    • 2020
  • Background: Prolonged sitting at work can lead to adverse health outcomes. The health risk of office workers is an increasing concern for the society and industry, with prolonged sitting work becoming more prevalent. Objective: This study aimed to explore the variation in muscle activities during prolonged sitting work and found out when and how to take a break to mitigate the risk of muscle symptoms. Methods: A preliminary survey was conducted to find out the prevalence of muscle discomfort in sedentary work. Firstly, a 2-h sedentary computer work was designed based on the preliminary study to investigate the variation in muscle activities. Twenty-four participants took part in the electromyography (EMG) measurement study. The EMG variations in the trapezius muscle and latissimus dorsi were investigated. Then the intervention time was determined based on the EMG measurement study. Secondly, 48 participants were divided into six groups to compare the effectiveness of every break type (passive break, active break of changing their posture, and stand and stretch their body with 5 or 10 mins). Finally, data consisting of EMG amplitudes and spectra and subjective assessment of discomfort were analyzed. Results: In the EMG experiment, results from the joint analysis of the spectral and amplitude method showed muscle fatigue after about 40 mins of sedentary work. In the intervention experiment, the results showed that standing and stretching for 5 mins was the most effective break type, and this type of break could keep the muscles' state at a recovery level for about 30-45 mins. Conclusions: This study offers the possibility of being applied to office workers and provides preliminary data support and theoretical exploration for a follow-up early muscle fatigue detection system.

Effect of Sensorimotor Training Using a Flexi-bar on Postural Balance and Gait Performance for Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Preliminary Study

  • Ga, Hyun-you;Sim, Yon-ju;Moon, Il-young;Yun, Sung-joon;Yi, Chung-hwi
    • Physical Therapy Korea
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.58-65
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    • 2017
  • Background: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have impaired postural control, but critically require the control of stability. Consequently, therapeutic interventions for enhancing postural control in children with CP have undergone extensive research. One intervention is sensorimotor training (SMT) using a Flexi-bar, but this has not previously been studied with respect to targeting trunk control in children with CP. Objects: This study was conducted to determine the effect of SMT using a Flexi-bar on postural balance and gait performance in children with CP. Methods: Three children with ambulatory spastic diplegia (SD) participated in the SMT program by using a Flexi-bar for forty minutes per day, three times a week, for six weeks. Outcome variables included the pediatric balance scale (PBS), trunk control movement scale (TCMS), 10 meter walking test (10MWT), and 3-dimensional movement coordination measurement. Results: The SMT provided no statistically significant improvement in PBS, TCMS, 10MWT, or 3-dimensional movement coordination measurement. However, positive changes were observed in individual outcomes, as balance and trunk control movement were improved. Conclusion: SMT using a Flexi-bar may be considered by clinicians as a potential intervention for increasing postural balance and performance in children with SD. Future studies are necessary to confirm the efficacy of Flexi-bar exercise in improving the functional activity of subjects with SD.

Analysis of the statistical validity of clinical effectiveness data of a systemic titrated extract of Zea Mays L. unsaponifiable fraction chemotherapeutic agent (Insadol) (경구용 옥수수불검화정량추출물 치료제(인사돌)의 임상적 유효성 데이터의 통계적 타당성에 대한 연구)

  • Choi, Yong-Geun;Eckert, Steven E;Lee, Jeong-Yol;Shin, Sang-Wan
    • The Journal of the Korean dental association
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    • v.53 no.7
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    • pp.476-484
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    • 2015
  • Purpose: This study intended to analyze the validity of clinical effectiveness data of clinical trials testing systemic titrated extract of Zea Mays L. unsaponifiable fraction chemotherapeutic agent. Material and Methods: Among 5 clinical trials claimed as proof of clinical effectiveness on the Web site of the manufacturer of this chemotherapeutic agent, a review of 4 clinical trials, written in either Korean or English, was conducted. Data were extracted from studies for the following variables: year of publication, age, sample size, follow-up period, combination with contemporary periodontal treatments, randomization, randomization check, blinded measurement, and statistical test type. Results: The study subjects' age intervals were too diverse to decide a common target population to generalize the findings. No study stated clearly the rationale for the sample size determination. Follow-up period to observe the start of clinical effectiveness was inconsistent and decided without any rationale of pathophysiological latent period. Randomization to make the comparisons on the same start line was performed but failed in a study. Randomization effect was not checked in 4 studies. Performance of blinded measurement of clinical outcomes to prevent bias was unclear in 2 studies. Type of statistical test was inappropriate in 3 studies. Conclusions: Based on the analysis of the validity of data on clinical and demographic variables, the four available clinical trials have not demonstrated compelling evidence of therapeutic effectiveness of systemic titrated extract of Zea Mays L. unsaponifiable fraction chemotherapeutic agent to improve prognosis of periodontal disease either with the contemporary periodontal treatment or without it.