• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.932-943
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• 2000

Background : Nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis (NSIP) is most likely to be confused with usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP). Unlike patients witþ UIP, the majority of patients with NSIP have a good prognosis, with most patients improving after treatment with corticosteroids. Therefore it is clinically important to differentiate NSIP from UIP. Up to now, the only means of differentiating these two diseases was by means of surgical lung biopsy. American Thoracic Society (ATS) proposed a clinical diagnostic criteria for UIP to provide assistance to clinicians in its diagnosis without surgical lung biopsy. This study is aimed to investigate whether there were clinical and radiological differences between NSIP and UIP, and the usefulness of ATS clinical diagnostic criteria for UIP in Korea. Methods : We studied 60 patients with UIP and NSIP confirmed by surgical lung biopsy. Clinical manifestations, pulmonary function test, arterial blood gas analysis, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were evaluated and analyzed by Chi-square test or t-test. The clinical criteria for UIP proposed by ATS were applied to all patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Results : Forty-two patients with UIP and 18 with NSIP were pathologically identified. Among the 18 patients with NSIP (M : F=1 : 17), the mean age was 55.2$\pm$8.4 (44~73) yr. Among the 42 patients with UIP (M : F=33 : 9), the mean age was 59.5$\pm$7.1 (45~74) yr (p=0.046). Fever was more frequent in NSIP (39%) (p=0.034), but clubbing was frequently observed in UIP (33%) (p=0.023). BAL lymphocytosis was more frequent (23%) (p=0.0001) and CD4/CD8 ratio was lower in NSIP (p=0.045). On HRCT, UIP frequently showed honeycomb appearance (36 of 42 patients) though not in NSIP (p=0.0001). Six of 42 UIP patients (14.3%) met the ATS clinical criteria for IPF, and 3 of 16 NSIP patients (18.8%) met the diagnostic criteria. Conclusion : Being a relatively young female and having short duration of illness, fever, BAL lymphocytosis, low CD4/CD8 ratio with the absence of clubbing and honeycomb appearance in HRCT increase the likelihood of the illness being NSIP. The usefulness of ATS clinical diagnostic criteria for UIP may be low in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.192-197
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• 2009

Background: Despite the benefits of home oxygen therapy in patients suffering chronic respiratory failure, previous reports in Korea revealed lower compliance to oxygen therapy and a shorter time for oxygen use than expected. However, these papers were published before oxygen therapy was covered by the national insurance system. Therefore, this study examined whether there were some changes in compliance, using time and other clinical features of home oxygen therapy after insurance coverage. Methods: This study reviewed the medical records of patients prescribed home oxygen therapy in our hospital from November 1, 2006 to September 31, 2008. The patients were interviewed either in person or by telephone to obtain information related to oxygen therapy. Results: During study period, a total 105 patients started home oxygen therapy. The mean age was 69 and 60 (57%) were male. The mean oxygen partial pressure in the arterial blood was 54.5 mmHg and oxygen saturation was 86.3%. Primary diseases that caused hypoxemia were COPD (n=64), lung cancer (n=14), Tb destroyed lung (n=12) and others. After oxygen therapy, more than 50% of patients experienced relief of their subjective dyspnea. The mean daily use of oxygen was 9.8${\pm}$7.3 hours and oxygen was not used during activity outside of their home (mean time, 5.4${\pm}$3.7 hours). Twenty four patients (36%) stopped using oxygen voluntarily 7${\pm}$4.7 months after being prescribed oxygen and showed a less severe pulmonary and right heart function. The causes of stopping were subjective symptom relief (n=11), inconvenience (n=6) and others (7). Conclusion: The prescription of home oxygen has increased since national insurance started to cover home oxygen therapy. However, the mean time for using oxygen is still shorter than expected. During activity of outside their home, patients could not use oxygen due to the absence of portable oxygen. Overall, continuous education to change the misunderstandings about oxygen therapy, more economic support from national insurance and coverage for portable oxygen are needed to extend the oxygen use time and maintain oxygen usage.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.52-64
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• 2002

Background : Coding of principal diagnosis is essential component for producing reliable health statistics. We performed this study to evaluate the current practice of principal diagnoses determination and coding, and to give some basic data to improve coding of principal diagnosis. Method : Nineteen medical record administrators (MRAs) of 3 university hospitals participated in coding principal Dx. from August 1, 2001 to August 31, 2001. From each hospital, 10 medical records of patients with high frequency disease were selected randomly. Each 10 medical records were grouped into three (A. B, C). Then, these 30 medical records were given to each MRAs for coding. At the same time questionnaire was given to each of them. Questions were to prove how they decide and code the principal diagnosis among many current diagnoses; how they decide and code the principal diagnosis when they see irrelevant diagnosis recorded as the principal diagnosis in medical record, when only tentative diagnoses were recorded without final diagnosis, and when different diagnoses were recorded in different sheets of same record. Agreement of coding among 3 hospitals were compared and survey results were analysed with SAS 6.12. Results : Agreement of coding was found in medical records 5-6 of each 10 medical records. Causes of disagreement were as follows. Difference of clinician's opinion from each hospital; mixed use of guideline from KCD-3 and guideline from DRG; difference in 4th digit classification according to the absence of pathology report in the medical record; difference of abbreviations among hospitals. 57.9% of MRAs selected the principal diagnosis recorded by physician, 42.1% of MRAs decided principal diagnosis after consulting to KCD-3 guideline. When there were difficulties in determining the principal diagnosis, 42.1% of MRAs decided principal diagnosis after discussion with the physician, 26.3% after discussion with fellow MRAs. Conclusion : There were differences in codings among hospitals. To minimize the difference, we suggest the development of disease-specific guidelines for coding in addition to the current general guideline such as KCD-3. To do this, Coding Clinic which can produce guidelines is needed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.3
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• pp.293-301
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• 2012

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) requires prompt and appropriate treatment. Since methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a frequent pathogen in VAP, rapid identification of it, is pivotal. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as a useful method for etiologic diagnoses of MRSA pneumonia. Methods: We performed qPCR for mecA, S. aureus-specific femA-SA, and S. epidermidis-specific femA-SE genes from bronchoalveolar lavage or bronchial washing samples obtained from clinically-suspected VAP. Molecular identification of MRSA was based on the presence of the mecA and femA-SA gene, with the absence of the femA-SE gene. To compensate for the experimental and clinical conditions, we spiked an internal control in the course of DNA extraction. We estimated number of colony-forming units per mL (CFU/mL) of MRSA samples through a standard curve of a serially-diluted reference MRSA strain. We compared the threshold cycle (Ct) value with the microbiologic results of MRSA. Results: We obtained the mecA gene standard curve, which showed the detection limit of the mecA gene to be 100 fg, which corresponds to a copy number of 30. We chose cut-off Ct values of 27.94 (equivalent to $1{\times}10^4$ CFU/mL) and 21.78 (equivalent to $1{\times}10^5$ CFU/mL). The sensitivity and specificity of our assay were 88.9% and 88.9% respectively, when compared with quantitative cultures. Conclusion: Our results were valuable for diagnosing and identifying pathogens involved in VAP. We believe our modified qPCR is an appropriate tool for the rapid diagnosis of clinical pathogens regarding patients in the intensive care unit.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.53-64
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• 2007

Purpose: Ths study aims to examine characteristics of patients using emergency room after execution of five-day workweek system by government and provide basic materials for operation of efficient emergency room. Methods: Data were collected tbrough medical records of patients visiting emergency room from July of 2004 to October of 2006 and they were analyzed with SPSSlPC 10.0. Conclusion : 1. The number of patients visiting emergency room was average 16.7 persons a day in 2004, 17.5 in 2005 and 18.6 in 2006 and it was found that it was increasing every year since the execution of five-day workweek system 2. Gender distribution of subjects using emergency room was higher in male than in female every year. 3. Means of transport to emergency room were mostly private car and others(public transport or on foot), but use of ambulance was increasing. 4. Residential areas of subjects were mostly 'Myeon area' in 2004~2005, but it was changed to residents at 'Eup area' in 2006. 5. Distribution of patients by medical departments was highest in internal medicine and surgery in 2004~2006 and rate of visiting pediatrics was increasing every year. 6. Time to stay at emergency room was most at 'below 30 min'. in 2004~2006, but cases of stay for 'more than 2 hours' were increasing every year. 7. On presence or absence of trauma in patients visiting emergency room, rate of visit to emergency room with 'no trauma' was higher and this result was increasing every year. 8. As a result of classifying severity of patients visiting emergency room, use rate of emergency room by 'non-emergency' patients was over 90% in 2004~2006 and such a phenomenon was deepened in 2006 compared to that in 2004. 9. Measures after emergency care of patients were most in case of 'discharge' in 2004~2006, but cases of admission to hospital after emergency care were increased every year. 10. According to use of emergency room by a day of the week, use on Sunday was most frequent in 2004~2006, but use on Friday the day before holiday was increasing. 11. According to distribution by age, use by those between '40~49' was most in 2004~2005, but use by those 'below 10' was most in 2006. 12. According to time to visit emergency room, using emergency room at "15:31~23:30 was most in 2004~2006, cases of visiting emergency room at day working hour were decreased every year and those at evening and night working hours were increased. Conclusion: In sum, it was found that characteristics of patients visiting emergency room and their actual status were changed after the execution of five-day workweek system and efforts to rearrange emergency medical system are required.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.68-82
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• 2017

Objectives: We performed a systematic review to assess and aggregate the available evidence on the frequency, expected effects, obstacles, and facilitators of disclosure of patient safety incidents (DPSI). Methods: We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for this systematic review and searched PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for English articles published between 1990 and 2014. Two authors independently conducted the title screening and abstract review. Ninety-nine articles were selected for full-text reviews. One author extracted the data and another verified them. Results: There was considerable variation in the reported frequency of DPSI among medical professionals. The main expected effects of DPSI were decreased intention of the general public to file medical lawsuits and punish medical professionals, increased credibility of medical professionals, increased intention of patients to revisit and recommend physicians or hospitals, higher ratings of quality of care, and alleviation of feelings of guilt among medical professionals. The obstacles to DPSI were fear of medical lawsuits and punishment, fear of a damaged professional reputation among colleagues and patients, diminished patient trust, the complexity of the situation, and the absence of a patient safety culture. However, the factors facilitating DPSI included the creation of a safe environment for reporting patient safety incidents, as well as guidelines and education for DPSI. Conclusions: The reported frequency of the experience of the general public with DPSI was somewhat lower than the reported frequency of DPSI among medical professionals. Although we identified various expected effects of DPSI, more empirical evidence from real cases is required.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.571-579
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• 2011

Objective: The purpose of this research is to provide exercise programs for the prevention of work related chronic back pain. Background: In order to prevent musculoskeletal disease, including proper medical care health promotion programs are needed. Method: This is a research of musculoskeletal disease looking at 618 workers working at a car engine manufacturing factory from April to July of 2008. Through questionnaire specific areas of musculoskeletal diseases experienced by the workers were identified and preventative exercise program for chronic low back pain was recommended. Result: Research showed that of the musculoskeletal disease experienced by the workers, 197 presented with low back pain, 171 presented with shoulder pain, 64 presented with neck pain and 44 presented with knee pain. The symptoms of low back pain included stiffness(143), twinge and burning sensation(24) and absence of sensation(19). Using this result 4 types of exercise programs were recommended for prevention of chronic low back pain. Conclusion: Preventative exercise programs recommended for the workers in this research is easily accessible for the workers. Use of the suggested exercise programs will inevitably decrease work related low back pain. Also 2 other recommendations were made: 1) Internal structural change may be necessary using ergonomics. 2) More exercise programs to be used to increase adaptation and tolerance of joints and muscles that are constantly used for repetitive work. Application: This study can be used to provide for the prevention of work-related Chronic Low Back pain.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.189-193
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• 2018

A 57-year-old woman scheduled for cochlear implant removal exhibited preoperative electrocardiographic findings of early repolarization (ER). Four episodes of transient ST segment elevations during surgery raised suspicion for vasospastic angina (VA). In the post-anesthetic care unit, the patient complained of chest discomfort and received sublingual nitroglycerin with uncertain effect. The patient refused to proceed with postoperative invasive coronary angiography, resulting in inconclusive diagnosis. Intraoperative circumstances limit the diagnosis of VA, which emphasizes the need for further testing to confirm the diagnosis. When VA is suspected in patients with underlying ER, it is reasonable to consider invasive examination to establish the diagnosis and prevent recurrence of VA. If ST changes are observed during surgery in patients with preoperative ER, careful monitoring is recommended. Due to general anesthesia, the absence of patient symptoms limits the definitive diagnosis of those with suspected VA. Therefore, additional postoperative surveillance is recommended.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.1021-1036
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• 1996

The purpose of this study are ( i ) to examine operating situation of physical therapy department and job satisfaction of physical therapists in health centers, (ii) to analyze utilization patterns and patient satisfaction of physical therapy services among health center visitors, and finally, (iii) to suggest policy implications in facilitating improvement on physical therapy services of health centers. The materials are collected from 105 physical therapists among nationwide health centers and 203 patients of 5 health centers in Pusan, Korea. The survey is conducted from February 13 to March 30, 1996 with a structured self - administered questionnaire. Major results of the study are as follows. First, the result of regression analysis between job satisfaction and affecting factors identify following variables as the significant determinants; self-development(+), job itself(+), and co-worker support (+). Second, the current operating situation of physical therapy department shows such problem as; i )shortage and unstable job security of physical therapists, ii )absence of rehabilitation specialist, iii )lack of understanding on physical therapy of co-workers, iv)shortage of physical therapy equipment and facility, v)burdensome task of physical therapists, and vi) inappropriate purchase process of equipment. Third, patient satisfaction for physical therapy services are revealed relatively high. And the result of regression analysis between patient satisfaction and affecting factors identify following variables as the significant determinants; credibility of physical therapist(+), satisfaction for waiting time(+), cleanliness(+). Fourth, the patients appeal about physical therapy services such problem as; i) shortage of physical therapists, physical therapy equipment, and facility, ii) inconvenient administrative procedure for utilization physical therapy services. Fifth and last, recommendations for the improvement of physical therapy services of health centers are as follows; i )recruiting more physical therapists, ii )regular employment of physical therapists instead of daily use employment, iii )re-arrangement of facility for patient's convenience, iv )establishing reasonable purchasing system of equipment for physical therapy, v) reforming administrative procedure for patient focused care.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.155-160
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• 2016

Purpose: It has been reported that xylitol and sorbitol affect antifungal activities by enhancing antimicrobial activities of other substances. The purpose of this study was to investigate the direct candidacidal activities of xylitol and sorbitol at a wide range of concentration. Methods: Xylitol and sorbitol solubilized with simulated salivary buffer at a range of $0.8{\mu}M$ to 1.05 M were used. Candida albicans strains, ATCC strains 10231, 11006, and 18804 were used for the candidacidal assay. The candidacidal activities of xylitol and sorbitol were determined by comparing the numbers of colony forming units between in the presence and absence of xylitol or sorbitol and calculating the percent loss of cell viability. Results: There were some differences in the candidacidal activities according to the types of sugar alcohols and C. albicans strains. The candidacidal activity of more than 10% was observed when a final concentration of 32.9 mM in xylitol or sorbitol was maintained and that of about 20% was observed when a final concentration of 131 mM was maintained. Even at a high concentration of 1.05 M, the candidacidal activity of xylitol or sorbitol was about 20%. Conclusions: Xylitol and sorbitol at the concentrations used in commercial oral health care products had some levels of candidacidal activities.