• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제64권10호
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• pp.531-537
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• 2021

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a new hyperinflammatory variant that evolved during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Although the precise pathophysiology of MIS-C is uncertain, it is thought to be due to immune dysregulation occurring after recovery from acute infection. Purpose: Our study aimed to analyze the clinical spectrum, laboratory parameters, imaging characteristics, treatment strategies, and short-term outcomes of children with a diagnosis of MIS-C. Methods: This retrospective and prospective observational study included children less than 16 years of age who were admitted to the pediatric unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India between August 2020 to January 2021 with a diagnosis of MIS-C according to World Health Organization criteria. Results: Twenty-one children were included in the analysis; all had fever with variable combinations of other symptoms. The mean age was 6.9 years; 71.4% were male. Gastrointestinal (80.9%) and cardiovascular (80.9%) systems were the most commonly affected. The majority of children had elevated inflammatory markers, and 16 (76.2%) had echocardiographic abnormalities mimicking Kawasaki disease. Eleven children (52.4%) required intensive care admission, 3 (14.3%) required supplemental oxygen, and 4 (19%) required inotropes. Nine (42.9%) were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin alone, 6 (28.6%) with steroids alone, and 3 (14.3%) with steroids and immunoglobulin. The median hospital stay was 6 days; there were no fatalities. Overweight/obesity, elevated ferritin, and mucocutaneous involvement were significantly associated with a prolonged hospital stay (≥7 days). Sixteen children (76.2%) were followed up till now and all of them had no clinical concerns. Conclusion: MIS-C is an emerging disease with variable presentation. A high index of suspicion is necessary for its early identification and appropriate management. Further research is essential for developing optimal treatment strategies.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.95-97
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• 2011

Purpose: We analyzed the medical costs for severely traumatized patients according to the severity and medical performance so that we could improve the financial balance of the trauma center. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on patients visiting SNUH Trauma Center from May 2011 to August 2011. Among a total of 55 severely traumatized patients, 31 patients whose medical bills were available and categorized were included in this study. The injury severity score (ISS) was calculated from the abbreviated injury score (AIS), which was updated in 2008,for each patient to assess the severity of injury. Major trauma was defined as an ISS above 15. Results:The 31 patients in this study included 20 males and 11 females. The average ISS was $33.23{\pm}16.65$ points. We categorize the patients into three groups according to ISS, 16-24: group 1, 25-40: group 2, and above 41: group 3. Total incomes, admission fees, surgery fees, and imaging test fees are shown in table 1. The costs seem to be higher costs in group 2, but this result has no statistical significance. Statistical significantly data are as follows: high radiologic test fees in group 1, short hospital stay in groups 1 and 2, and short ICU stay in group 1. The average hospital stay was 17 days, and the average emergency intensive care unit (EICU) stay was 7.5 days. Although the EICU stay was only 44% of the total hospital stay, the income from the EICU covers 79.4% of the total hospital income. Conclusion: From this study, we found several items that show relatively high medical income from severely traumatized patients visiting the SNUH Trauma Center. Most of the medical fees arise in the early phase of acute medicine usually in the ICU. Efforts to identify the items with high income and to minimize expenses will improve the financial structure of the Trauma Center,which is facing a budget crisis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제72권2호
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• pp.117-123
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• 2012

Optimal level of sedation and analgesia is important for the comfort and safety of critically ill patients. However, suboptimal sedation is relatively common in the intensive care unit (ICU) and it could cause prolonged mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, also increase delirium and ICU acquired weakness and resultant decreased survival. Therefore, accurate assessment of the level of sedation and analgesia, maintaining adequate level of sedation, and daily evaluation of each patient and following adjustment could be important treatment strategy in critically ill patients. Recently, the strategy for sedation in the ICU is changing toward the direction of lowering sedation level or even "no sedation" with concurrent use of analgesics and the use of ultra short acting analgesics could be helpful in some patients. Clinicians should be aware of the importance of algorithmic approach including daily interruption of sedative and assessment of sedation level and especially in the patients under mechanical ventilation, organizational approaches such as the 'ABCDE' bundle could improve the management of critically ill patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권8호
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• pp.3825-3828
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• 2014

Surgical outcomes of colorectal cancer treatment depend not only on good surgery and tumor biology but also on an optimal perioperative care. The enhanced recovery program (ERP) - a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach, or so called 'fast-track surgery' - has been designed to minimize perioperative and intraoperative stress responses, and to support the recovery of organ function aiming to help patients getting better sooner after surgery. Compared with conventional postoperative care, the enhanced recovery program results in quicker patient recovery, shorter length of hospital stay, faster recovery of gastrointestinal function, and a lower incidence of postoperative complications. Although not firmly established as yet, the enhanced recovery program after surgery could be of oncological benefit in colorectal cancer patients because it can enhance recovery, maintain integrity of the postoperative immune system, increase feasibility of postoperative chemotherapy, and shorten the time interval from surgery to chemotherapy. This commentary summarizes short-term outcomes and potential long-term benefits of enhanced recovery programs in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.14-20
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• 2019

Purpose: This study estimated the incidence of delirium and associated risk factors and outcomes in ICU patients with acute poisoning. Methods: Data were collected from ICU patients over 18 years of age that were admitted via the emergency center after presenting with poisoning from 2010 to 2015. Delirium was assessed retrospectively using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC). Risk factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 199 patients participated in this study and 68 (34.2%) were diagnosed with delirium based on the ICDSC score. The delirium group showed a significantly higher association with prolonged length of stay in the hospital and ICU in comparison with the non-delirium group. The delirium group was associated with greater use of physical restraint. A statistically greater number of patients with pharmaceutical substance poisoning developed delirium over a short period of time than those with non-pharmaceutical substance poisoning. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to age, sex, past history, GCS score, vital signs, application of ventilator care and renal replacement therapy. Conclusion: The finding that the delirium group had a greater length of stay in both the hospital and the ICU is consistent with the results of previous worldwide studies of the effects of delirium on the prognosis of patients who were admitted to the ICU, suggesting the possibility for domestic application. Additionally, use of physical restraint was positively related to the incidence of delirium. Thus, interventions for minimizing the use of physical restraints and considering alternatives are needed.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.94-105
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• 2022

Background: As South Korea enters an aged society, the government has emphasized the need for a soft landing of the older adults into the community after the acute and recovery periods under a national policy of "community care." However, the institutionalization of community rehabilitation services to implement this is insufficient. Japan had already entered an aged society when the Long-Term Care Insurance System was introduced in 2000. Thus, the case of Japan's institutionalization of the system is expected to have implications for us in supplementing a suitable system for the aged society. Objects: This study compared the institutionalization process of the Long-Term Care Insurance System in South Korea and Japan and the services currently being implemented in each country. Methods: To examine the institutionalization process and services of the system, related legal rules and regulations, government reports, and articles were reviewed. To examine the operation status of the system, statistical data provided by each country's government were analyzed. Results: Japan recognized the importance of community rehabilitation even before the enactment of Long-Term Care Insurance. Thus, community rehabilitation services, such as home-visit rehabilitation and health facilities, were already stipulated in the law. Under such institutional legacy, Long-Term Care Insurance was able to establish a service system, which balanced welfare and health-related services, including various types of services with enhanced rehabilitation functions. In South Korea, rehabilitation policies were not much considered in the process of institutionalizing the system; thus, it was composed mainly of services focusing on care and recuperation. Conclusion: In order to realize community care, rehabilitation services need to be developed in Long-Term Care Insurance System in various forms such as home-visit services, daily services, short stay, and facility services.

• 문화기술의 융합
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.137-143
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• 2023

이 연구는 어린이(0-12세)손상 환자의 특성에 따른 재원일수의 관계를 규명하여, 어린이손상 환자 재원일수에 미치는 요인을 분석하고자 시행하였다. 조사대상은 퇴원손상심층조사 자료에서 2016년 1월1일부터 2020년 12월31일 까지 퇴원한 환자 중 0-12세 이하이며, 주진단이 손상 및 사고의 외인(S00-T98)인 환자 7,804명이었다. 분석은 빈도 분석 및 독립표본 t-검정, ANOVA 검정을 실시하였다. 재원일수에 영향을 미치는 요인을 알아보고자 회귀분석을 시행하였다. 연구대상자의 평균재원일수는 5.5일 이었다. 학령기(7-12세)기 아동이 학령전기(0-6세)보다 재원일수가 길었으며, 진료비 지불방법이 의료급여 및 기타보험 환자가 재원일수가 길었다. 의료기관 소재지가 수도권보다 비수도권(전라도, 경상도)일 때, 병상규모가 100-299병상인 경우 재원일수가 길었다. 내원경로는 외래인 경우 재원일수가 짧았고, 손상기전이 운수사고, 화상인 경우 재원일수가 길었다. 부진단이 있고, 주수술을 시행한 경우 재원일수가 길었으며, 퇴원후 방향이 사망인 경우 재원일수가 길게 나타났다. 이 연구는 전국 단위 자료인 퇴원손상심층조사 자료를 이용하여 우리나라 어린이 손상환자의 재원일수의 특성 및 결정요인을 파악하였다는 점에서 의의를 갖는다. 또한, 안전교육 및 예방 활동만으로도 발생을 줄일 수 있는 어린이 손상의 관련 요인 대한 적극적인 치료와 다양한 예방정책 마련을 위한 기초 자료를 제공했다는 점에서 의의가 있다.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제16권7호
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• pp.4656-4667
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• 2015

본 연구는 요양시설 노인들의 삶의 질과 건강상태, 신체적 기능, 정신적 기능, 사회적 지지의 관련성을 파악하고자 실시하였다. 연구대상자는 일부 도시 지역에서 요양시설에 거주하는 만 65세 이상의 노인을 대상으로 하였다. 분석대상은 260명 이었고, 자료는 기술적 통계, t-tset, ANOVA, pearson correlation과 stepwise multiple regression으로 분석 하였다. 그 결과 매우 취약한 대상군인 요양시설 노인들의 삶의 질은 입주기간과 수면상태가 만족스러운 경우, 주관적 건강상태가 높은 경우, 치아 부자유함이 없는 경우, 건망증이 없는 경우, 우울이 낮을수록, 인지기능이 좋을수록, 사회적 지지가 높을수록 삶의 질 평균이 높게 나타났다. 삶의 질과의 상관관계에서는 수면상태(r=-.20, p<.001)와 주관적 건강상태(r=-.24, p<.001), 우울(r=-.30, p<.001), 사회적 지지(r=.30, p<.001)와 상관관계가 있었다. 요양시설 노인들의 삶의 질 예측 요인으로는 사회적지지(${\beta}=.30$, p<.001), 우울(${\beta}=-.25$, p<.001), 주관적 건강상태(${\beta}=-.22$, p<.001), 입소기간(${\beta}=-.22$, p<.001), 수면상태(${\beta}=-.12$, p=.025)가 삶의 질과 밀접하게 관련되고 예측요인임을 알 수 있었다. 결론적으로, 요양시설 노인들의 삶의 질은 여러 요인이 관련되어 있으며, 삶의 질에 대한 간호중재 및 관리는 신체적 활동이나 질병관리와 함께 정신적, 사회적 접근이 필요하며 노인의 개별적 이해를 중점으로 전인적 접근이 중요하다고 하겠다.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.213-219
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• 2024

Background: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) has recently been performed at many centers using a minimally invasive approach to reduce postoperative mortality, morbidity, and pain. Most previous reports on minimally invasive AVR (MiAVR) have mainly focused on aortic stenosis, and those exclusively dealing with aortic regurgitation (AR) are few. The purpose of this study was to investigate early surgical results and review our experience with patients with chronic severe AR who underwent AVR via right anterior mini-thoracotomy (RAT). Methods: Data were retrospectively collected in this single-center study. Eight patients who underwent RAT AVR between January 2020 and January 2024 were enrolled. Short-term outcomes, including the length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, postoperative complications, and echocardiographic data, were analyzed. Results: No in-hospital mortalities were observed. Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurred temporarily in three patients (37.5%). However, none required permanent pacemaker implantation or renal replacement therapy. The median values of ventilator time, length of intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay were 17 hours, 34.5 hours, and 9 days, respectively. Preoperative and postoperative measurements of left ventricular ejection fraction were similar. However, the left ventricular end systolic and diastolic diameters significantly decreased postoperatively from 42 mm to 35.5 mm (p=0.018) and 63 mm to 51 mm (p=0.012), respectively. Conclusion: MiAVR via RAT is a safe and reproducible procedure with acceptable morbidity and complication rates in patients with chronic severe AR. Despite some limitations such as a narrow surgical field and demanding learning curve, MiAVR is a competent method for AR.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.39-55
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• 2001

Concerns about paid-facilities for the elderly with dementia from middle and upper class families have been discussed lately in Korea. Small-scale, home-like group homes for the elderly with dementia were developed in Sweden in the 1980, but they have not been effectively introduced in Korea where they remain a comparatively new concept. The group home, however, would provide a good alternative to Koreans who feel guilty when they have to leave their frail parents in large-scale facilities or hospitals instead of caring for them at home. The aim of this paper is, first, to define the care of the demented elderly who come from upper and middle class families in Korea and, secondly, to discuss the need for group homes to help care for them. A survey was done by questionnaire and was answered by 577 respondents who belonged to middle and upper class families living in Korea in December 2000. Methods of analysis were frequency, mean, and Chi-square. The results of this study were as follows: 1) the traditional notion that the eldest son should be burdened with the primary responsibility for a demented parent has weakened remarkably; 2) a small-scale long-term care facility was considered the most desirable living environment for the demented elderly; 3) the facilities families needed for professional hospitals for victims of dementia, senior citizen centers, large and small-scale long-term care facilities, day-care centers, and short-stay and service housing. The study also revealed that there was low awareness of the group home. The most preferred type of structure for group homes was a single-family detached house, and the most preferred management system was small-scale that could create home-like atmosphere. Additionally the respondents wanted group homes to consist of 6-8 residents with 2-4 persons per room. The results of this study strongly suggest that policy makers should encourage the development of smallscale group homes as an alternative form of housing for the elderly with dementia.