• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2014

Purpose: This research aims to identify the physio-psychological effects of applying a qi massage program as an independent complementary intervention for employees with hypertension in a workplace. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed using a nonequivalent control group with pre- and post-tests. The study was performed from August 18 to October 10, 2008 on hypertensive employees being treated with a qi massage program in a company. The control group was recruited first to prevent treatment diffusion. The experimental group was subsequently recruited and received individual treatment for 30 minutes. Collected data was analyzed using SPSS16.0 version. ${\chi}^2$-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed ranks test, Fisher's exact test and paired t-test were implemented in order to examine the effects of individual intervention on patients who are treated with the qi massage program. Results: The experimental group showed a greater improvement in systolic blood pressure, diastolic pressure, stress, and quality of life than did the control group. Conclusion: A qi massage program may be implemented as a complementary intervention to effectively treat hypertensive persons.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.1238-1247
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• 2005

Purpose: This study aimed at developing integrated clinical performance indicators(CPIs) through the analysis of quality improvement(QI) activities of a hospital and literature review about performance measures. Method: The CPIs were developed through the following three stages; 1)Identifying preliminary CPIs 2)A staff validity test in preliminary CPIs 3)Developing final CPIs. Result: One hundred twenty-three preliminary CPIs were developed through QI activities of the target hospital for 8 years and literature review. The results of the validity test for the preliminary CPIs supported ninety-one items. Sixty-two CPIs were selected through integration, reclassification and renaming. Then, eighteen items were deleted on account of an imprecise calculation method. Finally, forty-four CPIs were confirmed. They consisted of twenty-six items at the hospital level and eighteen items at the department level. Conclusion: CPIs can be used as criteria to evaluate the performance of healthcare organizations, and to decide the quality of healthcare for customers. This study may contribute to establishing an integrated system between QI activities and performance measurement of healthcare organizations.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.813-831
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the service quality attributes of Korean airlines service for Chinese passengers and suggest revised model to count potential improvement. Methods: Using the Kano and Timko models based on survey questionnaire to classify the quality attributes and to calculate the customer satisfaction index for each service attributes. And the revised potential customers satisfaction index(R-PCSI) are used to access the improvement possibilities by Kano model's attributes. Results: The attributes by Kano model, the relative importance, and the priorities for improvement for 30 airline service quality characteristics are identified. The most important item for improvement is 'Loses and delays compensations service'. Conclusion: According to the PCSI calculation results, this paper can help for Korean Airlines to improve customer satisfaction for Chinese passengers. And R-PCSI model suggested by this paper can be used for other service quality analysis.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2023

Purpose: The predominant approach for mitigating inadequate sampling rates has primarily involved bolstering the volume of education. This study aimed to curtail inadequate sampling rates through the implementation of continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities, tailoring effective methods to the unique needs of each institution. Methods: We developed a sample handling guidebook and implemented QI activities to address this issue. Results: These measures resulted in a 4.7% decrease in inadequate sampling rates, concurrently improving knowledge of sample handling and overall nurse satisfaction. We addressed the root causes of inadequate sampling before laboratory pre-processing by: 1) focusing on systematic rather than erratic errors through CQI activities, 2) revising the sample handling guide, and 3) delivering face-to-face education based on the specific needs of the nursing department. These changes resulted in an additional 0.6% decrease in the inadequate sampling rate. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the implementation of CQI activities based on evidence derived from a multifaceted causal analysis significantly reduced the inadequate sampling rate compared to previous studies.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.127-140
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• 2015

Purpose: To obtain the area for improvement, the Importance-Performance analysis(IPA) uses relatively simple questions, that is, satisfaction and importance at attribute level. However, no attempt has been made to consider the gap between own company's performance and those of competitors in IPA, in the field of quality management. This study is aimed to suggest a new prioritizing method for improvement and to test for validity of the proposed technique. Methods: This study used data collected from Song and Lim(2015), which is satisfaction of employees, customers and competitors as well as importance data for 7 quality attributes of K animal hospital. A correlation comparison with other priority methods such as Bacon(2003)'s model and Matzler and Hinterhuber(1998)'s QI index is conducted. Results: The priority results by the proposed method shows better in correlation coefficient with customer perceived priority for improvement than other methods. Conclusion: From the result of the current study, it can be concluded that the result of the proposed method is valid, while it is relatively easy to understand and analyze, and therefore no additional survey is necessary for improvement priority.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.164-169
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• 2011

Previous studies have addressed the management of phyllosphere pathogens by leaf and root-associated microbes. The present study evaluated the effect of the foliar application of three strains of Bacillus spp. on plant growth and fruit quality. The application of a bacilli spore preparation significantly improved leaf growth parameters such as leaf thickness and photosynthesis capacity, indicating that bacilli treatment directly promoted leaf growth. In addition, foliar treatment resulted in an improvement in the key indicators of fruit quality including water, glucose, and sucrose contents. The present results suggest that foliar spraying of beneficial bacilli is a potential treatment of wide application for the improvement of apple quality. Foliar application of bacilli preparation as effective plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria broadens the spectrum of their availability for orchard application.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.2-10
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to share program and/or resource on patient safety education for patients and families conducted overseas agency. This study will help the patient safety officer establish and implement an educational plan for patients and families. Methods: We searched the Internet for patient safety related organizations. We chose an institution that provided education for patients and families. Results: Most of the program and/or resource was about patient and family involvement; Taking Care of Myself, My Questions for This Visit, Patient Prep Card, 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors, Ask Me 3(R), Health and Safety Passport, My Medication log etc. Conclusions: It is necessary to distribute educational materials for patients and families in the country through the results of this study. For patient safety, education and publicity are needed so that developed educational materials can be actively used.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.83-102
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• 2014

Objectives: This study aimed to review Korean medical clinical management of female overactive bladder (OAB). Methods: We reviewed domestic and foreign papers related to Korean Medicine Treatment for OAB and literatures on Korean Medicine added clinical views of authors. Results: OAB is usually diagnosed to Deficiency pattern (Kidney qi deficiency-cold, Spleen-Lung qi deficiency et al.). The primary treatment goals of OAB is improvement of urinary symptom. But a comprehensive treatment approach including improvement of accompanied symptoms such as depression, insomnia, sexual dysfunction and improvement of quality of life is needed. Warming and tonifying herbal medicine, electro-acupuncture and moxibustion using acupoints specially acting bladder function in lower abdomen and lumbar-sacral area and behavioral therapies such as lifestyle modification, bladder training are usually primary treatments. Treatment period is recommended about 3~6 months to recover and stabilize bladder function. Conclusions: OAB is a clinical area that Korean Medicine tend to be more effective. but additional research about Korean Medical Clinical Management of OAB is needed.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.41-61
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• 2018

Purpose: Falls are one of the most frequent health events in medical institutions, however, they can be predicted and prevented. The Quality Improvement Nurse Society clinical practice guideline Steering Committee developed the Clinical Practice Guideline for the assessment and prevention of falls in adult people. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk factors for falls in adults aged 19 years and older, to present an evidence for preventing falls, formulate a recommendations, and indicators for applying the recommendations. Methods: This clinical practice guideline was developed using a 23-step adaptation method according to the Handbook for clinical practice guideline developer (version 1.0) by National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency. Evidence levels and recommendation ratings were established in accordance to SIGN 2011 (The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network). Results: The final 15 recommendations from four domains were derived from experts' advice; 1) assessment of risk factor for falls in adult 2) preventing falls and reducing the risks of falls or falls-related injury 3) management and reassessment after a person falls 4) leadership and culture. Conclusion: This clinical practice guideline can be used as a basis for evaluation and prevention of fall risk factors for adults, to formulate recommendations for fall risk assessment and fall prevention, and to present monitoring indicators for applying the recommendations.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.232-243
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• 2001

Background : the hospitals in Korea are in a situation of a severe competition than the past. This situation was resulted from the increase in the number of hospitals and also from the government policy controlling the medical insurance fee. Moreover, consumer's desire for the high quality medical service g\has been significantly increased. Many programs to improve the quality of medical services are being performed in hospitals since the middle of 1990's. Studies up to now reported that more than 10 programs are being performed per hospital in Korea. So far studies have been performed to measure only the number of such programs in a hospital. The purposes of this study are to examine a specific area involved in the programs designed to improve the medical service quality and to suggest a future direction of the such programs. In addition, we hope that the results from this study could assist the programs for the medical service quality. Methods : A mailed questionnaire survey of the QI staffs at hospitals with 400 beds or more was conducted between September 15 and October 30, 2000. Of the 108 hospitals eligible for inclusion in our study, 69 participated, yielding a response rate of 63.9%. Excluding 7 hospital which are not responsed about activities of hospital then 62 hospitals were used for the analysis. Result : The total number of programs was 1,081 from the 62 hospitals participated in the survey. The highest number (24.8 programs) was found in the hospital having more than 800 beds and performing the programs more than 5 years. The 1,081 programs were consisted of 445 from the medical examination area, 343 from the medical examination support area, and 296 from the management area. Conclusion : This study showed the present situation of hospitals in Korea regarding to the quality improvement programs. The results from this study suggest that the pattern of the program for the medical service improvement is being changed to service process and result-centered programs from the structural area.