• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.132-149
• /
• 2002

Purpose: This study was conducted to provide the fadamental information to prepare better Occupational Health Program for SSI based on the evaluation of the experience of nurse who were working in the Government-funded subsidized occupational health program for SSI. Method: The focus group method was used. Data was collected using focus group interviews and analyzed in the framework of the Grounded theory method as mapped by Strauss and Corbin(1990). The subjects were 14 nurses. Result: We identified 60 concepts, 30sub-categories and 6 categories(Table 1). Categories were Various services, Difficulties in implement Services, Successful strategies, Program Evaluation, Alternative Plans and Adaptation to new field. Conclusion: Nurses evaluated the effect of this program that autonomous health management ability has not changed although the possibility for the small scale industries to start the health management arose by acknowledging the importance of the health management of the workplace. In spite of many difficulties in implement services, nurses provided various health services using successful strategies. They suggest that various programs such as a model set-up suitable for the quality of workplaces and a role model set-up of the occupational health nurse for SSI as well as various efforts for the activated this program were needed. Nurses had a hard time in unfamiliar field when they began this program and overcame this difficulties with various strategies.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.15-25
• /
• 2016

Objectives: In this study, we examined the validity of Clostridium difficile culture results as a proxy measure of Clostridium difficile infection, and inferred the epidemiologic characteristics of Clostridium difficile infection by tracking the trends of Clostridium difficile culture results. Methods: We reviewed the medical records to figure out the actual possibilities of Clostridium difficile infection of those with positive or negative results of Clostridium difficile culture during the time span from January 2012 to March 2012. We calculated the positive and negative predictive value of Clostridium difficile culture results for Clostridium difficile infection. Furthermore, epidemiologic characteristics of Clostridium difficile infection in a tertiary general hospital in 2012 were analyzed. Result: The estimated positive predictive value of Clostridium difficile culture tests for Clostridium difficile infection was 100%, and the estimated negative predictive value was around 94.4~99.3% depending on the cutoff value of possibility of Clostridium difficile infection. A total of 622 cases were identified as Clostridium difficile infection in a tertiary general hospital in 2012 and there were 4.9 patients with Clostridium difficile infection per 1,000 inpatients. Conclusion: In conclusion, we identified that Clostridium difficile culture results can be used as a proxy measure of Clostridium difficile infection.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2012

Objectives : This study aimed to analyze the living habits and results of health examinations of university students according to Sasang constitution. Methods : We measured the height, weight, body mass index, and blood pressure of 2,387 university students, performed laboratory examinations, and conducted a questionnaire survey of their eating, drinking, smoking, and exercise habits. Their Sasang constitution was diagnosed by using the Questionnaire of Sasang Constitution ClassII(QSCCII). All the data were analysed statistically by descriptive statistics, chi-square test, ANOVA, tukey's multiple comparisons Results : The Taeeumin group mostly ranged in overweight sector of the BMI, and this group showed significantly higher blood pressure and AST, ALT, GGT, LDH, CPK, Creatinine, Uric acid, total cholesterol, TG, and LDL levels than other groups, while having a lower HDL level. In the living habits survey, the Taeeumin group showed the highest proportion of "overeating", and the lowest proportion of "eating slowly". This group had the highest value of quantity of alcohol drinking, highest proportion of hazardous drinkers, and highest smoking rate of the three constitutions. Conclusions : In the results of this study, there were significant differences in the living habits behaviors, and the results of health examination, between the three constitutions. In particular, individuals of the Taeeumin group have a high possibility of getting chronic disease, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and obesity; and need to improve their living habits.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.347-353
• /
• 2001

Objectives : To determine the impacts of Diagnosis-Related Groups/Prospective Payment System (DRG/PPS) on the quality of care in cases of Cesarean section and to describe the policy implications for the early stabilization of DRG/PPS in Korea. Methods : Data was collected from the medical records of 380 patients who had undergone Cesarean sections in 40 hospitals participating in the DRG/PPS Demonstration Program since 1999. Cesarean sections were peformed in 122 patients of the FFS(Fee-For-Service) group and 258 patients of the DRG/PPS group. Measurements of quality used included essential tests of pre- and post-operation, and the PPI(Physician Performance Index) score. The PPI was developed by two obstetricians. Results : Univariate analysis demonstrated significant differences in PPI scores according to the payment systems. With respect to the mean of PPI scores, a higher score was found in the DRG/PPS group than in the FFS group. However, the adjusted effect did not show significant differences between the FFS group and the DRG/PPS group. Conclusion : This study suggested that the problem of poor quality may not be related to the implementation of DRG/PPS in Cesarean section. However, this study did not consider the validity and reliability of the process measurement, and it did not exclude the possibility of data emission in medical records.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.235-243
• /
• 2012

Objectives: Nail has been a substitute DNA source for genotyping. To investigate the integrity and consistency of nail DNA amplification for biomarker study, nail clippings from 12 subjects were collected at monthly intervals. The possibility of longer amplification and existence of GAPDH RNA/protein, were also investigated with three nail samples. Methods: Three primer sets were designed for quantitative amplification of nuclear and mitochondrial genes and analysis of their consistency. The mean threshold cycles in amplification of the target genes were compared to test the consistency of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performance among individual factors including age groups, sex, family, the nail source, and by the size of the amplification segments. Results: The amplification of the target genes from nail DNA showed similar integrity and consistency between the nail sources, and among the serial collections. However, nail DNA from those in their forties showed earlier threshold cycles in amplification than those in their teens or seventies. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) showed better DNA integrity and consistency in amplification of all three targets than did nuclear DNA (nucDNA). Over 9 kb of mtDNA was successfully amplified, and nested quantitative PCR showed reliable copy numbers (%) between the two loci. Reverse transcription PCR for mRNA and immunoblotting for GAPDH protein successfully reflected their corresponding amounts. Regarding the existence of RNA and protein in nails, more effective extraction and detection methods need to be set up to validate the feasibility in biomarker study. Conclusions: Nail DNA might be a feasible intra-individual monitoring biomarker. Considering integrity and consistency in target amplification, mtDNA would be a better target for biomarker research than nucDNA.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.57-71
• /
• 2021

Objectives : Computer-based test (CBT) will be introduced in the national examination of Korean medicine doctors from 2023. This study was aimed to provide some information, including prior considerations, to those preparing for CBT, by presenting a summary of the survey results from participants in a CBT simulation test. Methods : In December 2020, applicants from the graduating class of the college of Korean medicine from four universities participated in the simulation test for CBT. An online anonymous survey on the applicants' preference for CBT versus paper-based tests (PBT) was conducted. The questionnaire consisted of multiple-choice questions on a 5-point Likert scale and free-form questions. Results : A total of 176 students responded to the survey. Their response to CBT was generally positive. The item with the highest agreement was that it should provide a sufficient opportunity to experience CBT in the undergraduate exam (4.38±0.839). Concerns about the possibility of cheating or poor concentration were also detected. In addition to guaranteeing the stability of the CBT system, there were many comments expressing the need to supplement functions within the CBT system, including the memo or highlighter function. Conclusions : This study confirmed the feasibility of CBT including multimedia questions in the field of Korean medicine education and identified overall positive responses from those who experienced the CBT simulation test. Although time is short and there is so much to prepare, we hope this will be a leap forward for effective educational innovation in line with the changing environment of the health care education field.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.81-89
• /
• 2022

Objectives This report aimed to investigate the possibility of correcting facial asymmetry using cervical Chuna manipulation treatment and functional cerebrospinal technique and introduce meaningful additional improvement of systemic symptoms of non-surgical Korean medicine treatments through three case studies. Methods Three patients with facial asymmetry were treated using Korean medicine treatments. The effects of the treatments were all measured using photographs, lateral cephalograms, and whole-body radiogram and Likert scale. Results After Korean medicine treatment, there were significant correction effects of asymmetry in photography, cephalography, and whole-body radiogram and meaningful score of Likert scale. Conclusions This study suggested that Korean medicine treatments may be effective in facial asymmetry. Improving muscular asymmetry, including soft tissue asymmetry and functional asymmetry, has meaningful effects on maintaining an overall balance of the body. Facial asymmetry should be treated by making an alignment of the whole body and there should be further well-designed, randomized, and placebo-controlled trials to verify these results.

• Korean Circulation Journal
• /
• v.53 no.8
• /
• pp.499-518
• /
• 2023

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, and hypertension, are the global leading causes of death, accounting for more than 30% of deaths worldwide. Although the risk factors of CVDs have been well understood and various treatment and preventive measures have been established, the mortality rate and the financial burden of CVDs are expected to grow exponentially over time due to the changes in lifestyles and increasing life expectancies of the present generation. Recent advancements in metagenomics and metabolomics analysis have identified gut microbiome and its associated metabolites as potential risk factors for CVDs, suggesting the possibility of developing more effective novel therapeutic strategies against CVD. In addition, increasing evidence has demonstrated the alterations in the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and the imbalance of microbial-dependent metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids and trimethylamine N-oxide, play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of CVD. However, the exact mechanism of action remains undefined to this day. In this review, we focus on the compositional changes in the gut microbiome and its related metabolites in various CVDs. Moreover, the potential treatment and preventive strategies targeting the gut microbiome and its metabolites are discussed.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.1017-1022
• /
• 2014

Since the opening of Seoul Subway Line #1 in 1974, the number of passengers has been increasing. The possibility for passenger's accidents in railway stations has also increased. In order to decrease these kind of accidents, railway operation systems have been automated. Nevertheless, the possibility of a casualty accident in railway stations remains. This study analyzed the type of casualty accidents, casualty accidents by age, sex, pedestrian facility, and passenger type based on the internal data of Seoul Metro. The causes of casualty accidents are also found out. Finally, the establishment of railway safety education program and railway safety experience center are suggested in order to prevent the urban railway casualty accident in advance at railway stations.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.141-149
• /
• 2010

A concern of safety issue for traditional herbal medicine is the possibility of some herbs containing heavy metals responsible for several cases of metal poisoning. In our previous study, the physiological levels of heavy metals, such as Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb, were examined to evaluate a potential risk in patients taking herbal medicine. In this study, the levels of 12 heavy metals, including non-metallic element, Se, were analyzed in hair and compared to the results from the previous study. In the previous study, the levels of Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb in hair showed a significantly lower odds ratio than 1. In this study, however, all metals did not show any significant odds ratio higher or lower than 1 even if 5 of 12 metals showed lower odds ratio than 1. In addition, the levels of metal concentrations, especially for Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn, exceeding the WHO reference values were observed in hair. However, any evidence for metal accumulation in hair caused by taking herbal medicines for long duration was not observed in analysis of multiple regression and odds ratio from case-control study. This result would show another possibility for a role of herbs as a non-enzymatic chelator inhibiting the gastrointestinal absorption of heavy metals.