• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.363-371
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• 2001

Objectives : To assess the degree of quality improvement (QI) implementation and to identify its associated factors. 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, 79 participated, yielding a response rate of 73.1%. After excluding 12 hospitals that did not perform any QI activities, 117 responses from 67 hospitals were used in our analysis. The degree of QI implementation was measured using the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Criteria (MBNQAC). Factors evaluated for association with the degree of QI implementation were cultural, technical, strategic, and structural factors of the hospitals. Results : The average 01 implementation score across the 7 dimensions of MBNQAC was 3.34 on a 5-point scale, with the highest score for the area of customer satisfaction (3.88) followed by information and analysis (3.59) and quality management (3.35). The results of regression analysis showed that hospitals with a ofter information system (p<0.05) and using scientific and systematic problem solving approach (p<0.01) tended to perform a higher degree of QI implementation. While statistically insignificant, positive associations were observed for the factors of group or developmental culture, the degree of employee empowerment, and the use of prospective strategy. Conclusions : It appears that the most important factors contributing to active implementation of QI in Korean hospitals were the use of scientific skills in decision making, and having a quality information system to produce precise and valid information.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2018

We often overlook the importance of several safety issues such as identification of patients, timeout procedure, hand hygiene, handoff communication, and many others. This ignorance, along with many other issues, leads to medical error being ranked as a third leading cause of death in the U.S. Consequently, quality improvement (QI) has become one of the major subjects in healthcare despite a relatively short history. Improving quality is about making healthcare safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. Understanding the need and methodology of QI as well as participation is now essential for physicians. Although basic QI methodology has not changed, one of the most fascinating changes in recent QI is conducting large-scale QI projects through multicenter networks. Prospective multicenter QI projects utilizing the Korean Neonatal Network are a substantial initiation of pediatric QI in Korea. The Korean Pediatric Society should set ambitious goals for QI activities for every primary care pediatrician and pediatric subspecialist.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.134-145
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• 2004

Qi. in ancient east Asian Philosophy and medicine, was the quintessential concept symbolizing material orgin of the world. It was considered as the original matter of the world, and the genesis, development and extinction of everything in heaven and earth was explained through the movement of Qi. Despite its importance, the interpretation of Qi has brought about various bifurcations in the history of Oriental medicine. It is comprehended either as ideal concept, or as actual entity. Also, there exists synthetic idea of considering both sides of Qi. These ideas results from obscure understanding based on textual interpretation apart from actual experince. When experincing Qi through discipline, however, man can understand Qi concretly and actually and even grasp the explanation of the cosmos and life. One problem of Qi discipline was that it couldn't ascend the stage of subjective experience. Now, with the method of 'Hanalmomjit'. a developed form of zifadonggong(自發動功), I could reach coherent results to offer the foundation of objective understanding of Qi. The testees, disciples of Hanalmomjit, could express the characters of herbs in their Qigong actions, and the expression was meaningful and coherent to be considered as expressing the effects described in the classics of herbalogy. This result comes from the capacity of grasping external Qi-status, not only expressing the internal communication of jingluo(經絡) in Hanalmomjit.

• CELLMED
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.16.1-16.5
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• 2012

Fever in cancer patients is often due to the following causes: evil qi and toxity stagnancy, disorders of qi and blood, deficiencies of zang and fu organs, and the disorder of yin and yang. The treatments given to cancer patients with a fever are according to five: (a) Excessive inner heat and toxicants: remove heat and the toxicant, induce purgation. We use Cheng-Qi-Tang plus Qing-Wen-Bai-Du-Yin. (b) Tangle of damp and heat, and qi stagnancy: remove damp and heat, smooth the qi channel. We use Gan-Lu-Xiao-Du-Dan or San-Ren-Tang. (c) Obvious blood and heat stagnancy: remove heat and blood stasis. We use Xue-Fu- Zhu-Yu-Tang. (d) Deficiency of spleen qi, inner heat caused by a yin deficiency: nourish spleen qi and yin to remove the inner heat. We use Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang or Xiao-Jian-Zhong-Tang. (e) Prominent yin deficiency and hectic fever: replenish yin and remove inner heat. We use Qing-Hao-Bie-Jia-Tang or Chai- Qian-Mei-Lian-San. The pathogenesis of fever in cancer patients is complicated. We can see both deficiency and excess in one differentiation. Therefore, we must make sure of it, then we can get the most effective treatment.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.213-218
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• 2006

Objectives : Radix Bupleuri is from the dried root of the herb of the Perennial herbaceous plant, Bulpleurum falcatum L. or Bulpleurum chinense DC. or Bulpleurum. scorzonerifolium Willd., family Umbelliferae. Medicinal Properties are bitter and pungent in flavor, slightly cold in nature and attributed to the liver and gallbladder meridians. Actions in modern Materia Medica are regulate the functional relation of internal organs to relieve fever, disperse the stagnated liver-qi and uplift yang-qi to raise sinking. The ‘uplift yang-qi to raise sinking’ efficacy, out of three efficacies (regulate the functional relation of internal organs to relieve fever, disperse the stagnated liver-qi and uplift yang-qi to raise sinking), has been disputed in the medical profession for a long period. Hereupon, this study ascertained the reason why it has been disputed. Methods : With respect to this medicinal herb, the efficacies of regulate the functional relation of internal organs to relieve fever, disperse the stagnated liver-qi and uplift yang-qi to raise sinking were described as to what was written in ‘Shen Nong's Herbal’ from Chin and Han dynasties until Jin and Yuan dynasties. Results : The beginning of Jin and Yuan dynasties, it began to deal with the ‘uplift yang-qi to raise sinking’ efficacy and so it has been carried on modern textbooks and medical books. The reason why it was added is that it was influenced by the theory of ‘Raise Sinking’ advocated by Zhang jieku who lived in the period of Jin and Yuan dynasties. Since then, the properties of ‘Radix Bupleuri’ have been wrongly known to the public. Additionally, ‘Radix Stellariae Seu Gypsophilae’, which was begun to be introduced from the Four Cities since the Five Dynasties, has been combined with the best stuffs of ‘Radix Bupleuri’ produced from Yin Zhou. Consequently, its original properties were remarkably disordered. Likewise, respective medical schools’ theories were changed by the influence of ‘Bulpleurum. scorzonerifolium Willd’ begun to be used since Tang dynasty. Conclusion : it is considered that the current ‘Raise Sinking’ efficacy of Radix Bupleuri is unreasonable to be applied to the efficacy of the whole Radix Bupleuri because it is limited to certain species.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.208-217
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• 2014

Objectives and Methods : This study is to understand the properties and functions of twelve meridians. It aims to understand the meaning of the meridian names, and to study the properties of the six qi and the method of movement of the meridians by analyzing the six qi of the three yin and three yang from a meteorological perspective. The functions of twelve meridians based on the relationship between the operation of the internal organs and the meridians are then examined. Results and Conclusions : (1) The three yin and three yang includes the properties of six qi at the meridians. (2) The fundamental qi at reverting yin meridian lesser yin meridian and greater yin meridian has the properties of wind, heat and dampness, respectively, which are yang qi, while the fundamental qi at lesser yang meridian, yang brightness meridian and greater yang meridian has the properties of ministerial fire, dryness and cold, respectively, which are yin qi. (3) In the circulation of meridian qi, yang qi ascends at yin meridians while yin qi descends at yang meridians. (4) Three yin meridians belonging to the viscera help the function of intestines, which saves essence qi and then makes it go upward, while three yang meridians belonging to the bowels help the function of converting foodstuff and making it go downward. (5) In the human body, the internal organs play the primary role, and the meridians serve as helpers of the functioning of the internal organs by controlling the six qi.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.212-216
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• 2003

This study assessed the effects of Qi therapy (QT) on premenstrual symptoms in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Forty-six college women were randomly allocated to receive QT (QT group: n=23) or complete diary of PMS (control group: n=22, 1 was dropped out). The experimental group receives 12 minutes Qi therapy for 5 times (7, 4, 1 day before and 7, 14 day after menstruation), and control group relaxed in the same procedure with experimental group. We measured pain, depression and anxiety level with visual analogue scale (VAS) to investigate participants responses. There were significant reductions on pain, depression and anxiety in QT group compared with control. These findings suggest that Qi therapy may have a role in helping the women with PMS to cope with their pain, depression and anxiety symptoms.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.53-57
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• 2018

Even with the increasing number of high risk infants, neonatal care in Korea has undergone development with improved survival rate. This rapid improvement in the outcomes brought care quality in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to the surface. Quality improvement (QI) involves safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered care. In this review, methods of QI are described with examples of NICU QI topics. Each NICU can voluntarily develop a QI project, but systematic supports are essential. As human and systemic resources in NICUs in Korea are insufficient, institutional and national supports are necessary to attain QI. Furthermore, collaborative neonatal network can provide a QI standard and evidence based-medicine, as well as QI research.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.85-102
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• 2007

Zhang thinks human life consists of body(形) and Shen(神 spirit). Body comes from Jing(精), Shen comes from Qi(氣). The common basic of body and Shen is Qi. Thus the elements of human life are Jing, Qi and Shen. Among the three life elements, Jing is the lowest level. To preserve Jing is the key to Life Care. To preserve Jing, we should rest body and Shen, and Shen rules body, so to rest Shen is necessary to preserve Jing. When Jing is full, it converts to Qi, and Qi converts to Shen. Shen is ruled by mind(心), so mind sould be quiet. There is a gate through which Jing and Qi pass. It is called Mingmen(命門), and it sould be closed tight to preserve Jing.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.123-128
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Dong-Qi acupuncture treatment for the patients with low back pain and sciatica. Methods : 60 patients were divided into two, Group A of 30 persons and Group B of 30 persons. Only Group A was treated with Dong-Qi acupuncture treatment, Group B was treated with just Dong-Qi acupuncture treatment. Results : In VAS, Group A is $6.57{\pm}1.91$ and Group B is $5.20{\pm}2.22(P=0.013)$. In Improvement index, Group A is $0.2295{\pm}0.1036$ and Group B is $0.1545{\pm}0.0895\;(P=0.004)$. Conclusions : We knew that Dong-Qi acupuncture treatment is more effective.