• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.272-283
• /
• 2016

Purpose: This is a comparative study using secondary data from the Korean national long term care (LTC) insurance. Methods: Visiting nursing (VN) service users (n=666) and non-users (n=4,375) were extracted and compared in terms of medical expenditures, length of hospitalization, and annual number of ambulatory care visits to investigate effects of VN services in LTC. Results: Total health care expenditures were compared between the two groups and it was found that VN service users spent about $ 1700 than non-users for their medical costs between 2009 and 2011. The average length of in-hospital stay for VN service users was 19.4 days shorter than that of non-users. However, using VN services did not significantly influence the annual number of ambulatory care visits. Conclusion: The study has found that VN services are effective ways of providing community-based LTC services. We recommend LTC policy makers to further utilize VN services to deliver cost effective health care services.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.49-52
• /
• 2020

Background: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is commonly treated with chest tube insertion, which requires hospitalization. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy, costs, and benefits of a portable small-bore chest tube (Thoracic Egg; Sumitomo Bakelite Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) compared with a conventional chest tube. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all primary spontaneous pneumothorax patients who underwent treatment at Gangnam Severance Hospital between August 2014 and May 2018. Results: A total of 279 patients were divided into 2 groups: the conventional group (n=236) and the Thoracic Egg group (n=43). Of the 236 patients in the conventional group, 100 were excluded because they underwent surgery during the study period. The efficacy and cost were compared between the 2 groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding recurrence (conventional group, 36 patients [26.5%]; Thoracic Egg group, 15 patients [29.4%]; p=0.287). However, the Egg group had statistically significantly lower mean medical expenses than the conventional group (433,413 Korean won and 522,146 Korean won, respectively; p<0.001). Conclusion: Although portable small-bore chest tubes may not be significantly more efficacious than conventional chest tubes, their use is significantly less expensive. We believe that the Thoracic Egg catheter could be a less costly alternative to conventional chest tube insertion.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.169-187
• /
• 2000

Cigarette smoking has been identified as the most important source of preventable morbidity and premature mortality (WHO, 1995), The prevalence of smoking among men is very high in Korea. This study estimated productivity losses due to smoking in Korea, 1997. The derivation of cost estimates for mortality, disability, hospitalization and use of physician services related to cigarette smoking is bas 어 on the calculation of attributable fractions suggested by MacMahon and Cole and Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity, and Economic Cost(SAMMEC) software. To estimate the number of deaths from neoplastic, cardiovascular, respiratory diseases associated with cigarette smoking, estimates for adults(aged 20 years and over) were based on 1997 mortality data, 1995 data on smoking prevalence from Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs. Smoking-attributable indirect morbidity cost data were obtained from the National Federation of Medical Insurance. As the result of cost estimation, these productivity losses were 336-430 billion won. During 1997, 8,620-10,804 deaths were attributed to smoking. Cigarette smoking resulted in 133,991-169,422 Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) to life expectancy. For smoking -attributable indirect mortality costs, the present value of future earnings(PVFE) for the age at death are 299-384 billion won. Smoking-attributable indirect morbidity costs, the costs of lost productivity for persons who are disabled by smoking-related chronic diseases are 37-46 billion won. In this study the productivity losses due to smoking were restricted to the health effects of smoking. It is possible that these costs were underestimated with the limitation of the data. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of illness and death. The results of this study can be used as elementary data for antismoking policy.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.137-145
• /
• 2019

Among the participants of the 2012 Korea Medical Panel survey, 308 people who have used emergency, hospitalization and outpatient services for cancer have been selected. The average annual direct cost per cancer patient was analyzed by adding up the patient's medical expenses, industrial copayments, and non-salary costs. The average annual direct direct cost of cancer spent by cancer patients is about 129,093,792 per male, 158,100,612 won for men and 110,482,075 for women.For those with health insurance, the total direct cost per person from cancer was 183,095,125 won and the beneficiaries were 46,241,705 won. By household income, the average annual direct direct costs per person were 112,459,971 won per patient in the household income quartile, 137,910,890 won for patients in the second quartile, 149,556,570 won in the third quartile and 112,730,461 won, quartile 5, respectively.Was 142,926,331 won.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.160-171
• /
• 2019

Background: This study purposed to compare the difference on medical utilization and health expenditure of baby boomer generation by depression between gender. Methods: Korea Welfare Panel Survey 2016, provided by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, was used for the analysis. For the research, we used the two-part model, yes or no of use (part 1), and frequency of use (part 2) for medical utilization. The dependent variables are the whether or not to use of hospitalization services, outpatient services, length of stay, outpatient service visits, and health expenditure. And the independent variables are used as the predisposing (education, spouse presence), enabling (insurance type, private insurance, economic activity, income), and need (chronic disease, self-rated health, disability) factors in the Andersen behavior model. Depression was used as intervening variables. Structural equation model and multiple group analysis by gender were used. Results: There were differences in the medical care usage and cost between men and women in baby boomer. For men, mediating effects of depression were present at the hospitalization (yes/no), length of stay, and health expenditure. On the other hand, for women, the mediating effect of depression was found only at the outpatient visits. Specially, depression was working at the medical services by the different way between gender. The size of effect (multiple group analysis) was affected by significant differences between men and women. Conclusion: This study found that the mediating effect of depression is increased medical usage and health expenditure and the effect factors are different by gender. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a medical care policy considering the socio-economic characteristics of baby boomers.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.5-14
• /
• 2001

To estimate total burden of hospital admission over patient of gamily, we need to know the unofficial private expenses in addition to explicit hospital admission fees. This study was conducted from June 29, 2,000 to August 10, 2,000. Subjects were 104 patient at university hospital located at chungnam province. After thorough explanation of purpose and procedures, notebooks are given to each patient or guardian. They are requested to recorded all relevant expenditures occurred during hospital stay. Incomplete records were filled-up by direct personal contact or phones. Datas were summarized and analyzed using SAS statistical package. P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. The results of the study are as follows: 1. In 96.1% of the patient, guardians stayed at hospital to take care of patients. In 38,8% one of the family members get work-leave or temporary resting from job. Average date of leave was 7.5days. 2. Average informal cost burden per patient was 204,467 won (14,330 won${\sim}$1,594,870 won). Average hospital cost paid by the patient was 1,061,807 won. The ratio of informal cost burden to hospital cost paid by the patient was 0.327. 3. According to the regression analysis, the relevant factors affection informal cost burdens were distance from home to hospital(p=0.018), and duration of hospitalization(p=0.0001). 4. Informal cost burden was composed of expenses for personal expense of care giver (126, 720 won/patient), meal (86,924 won/patient), transportation (77,648 won/patient), necessaries of life (18,789 won/patient), tests and treatments not covered by insurance (17,289 won/patient), medical supplies not covered by insurance (15,280 won/patient), treat for visitors (14,757 won/patient), TV coin (8,247 won/patient), and others (7,582 won/patient). In addition to the hospital cost paid by the patient for hospital admission, the informal cost burdens should be recognised explicitly because it is not small. Significant proportion of informal cost burden is composed of care-giver's personal expense, transportation, meal. It is suggested that some polices are to be devised and implemented enabling that this portion of informal expenses be directed to formal professional nursing care. Thus we can improve the quality of care and decrease discomfort of patient's relatives.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.451-465
• /
• 2012

In order to strengthen assurance of National Health Insurance, co-payment should be reduced. This can happen with collaborative efforts of patients, medical institutes, and government altogether at the same time. This research applied Dutton(1986)'s medical service research model with high R-square, and analyzed 2008 Korea Health Panel Data (Beta Version 1), that was examined by Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs and National Health Insurance, in order to figure out influential variables on co-payment. In result of Multiple Linear Regression Analysis, R-square was 46.7%, the older the age, the patients who had surgery, the longer days of hospital treatment are, the higher gross income of a household is, the more hospitalized in upper grade general hospitals, and the more upper grade rooms and selecting a doctor are used. The results have statistical significance. When conducting research applying medical service research model, there is a need to apply Dutton(1986)'s medical service research model with high R-square. In order to strengthen assurance of National Health Insurance, first conditions should be that patients are hospitalized in upper grade general hospital, and at the same time, are patients who had surgery with long stay of hospitalization. In addition, if proven that patients used upper grade rooms and selecting a doctor due to lack of regular treatment and rooms, for certain number of days of such hospitalization, it is suggested to be provided with health care insurance in upper grade rooms and selecting a doctor in calculating co-payment limit.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Mechanical Technology
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2011

The present study aimed to compare and analyze the particulars of and difference in medical expenses and their composition ratio for 2,026 patients hospitalized at 2 types of medical institutions (443 at a clinic and 1,583 at a hospital) in Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do under coverage of automobile insurance during 2009. From the analysis, it became evident that there were differences in individual characters of inpatients covered by automobile insurance, and details, composition and composition ratio of medical treatment for them depending on types of medical institutions. There was no difference, however, between the total and average medical expenses per capita even when markup rate was applied to the automobile insurance by types of hospitals. The ratio of radiotherapy and physical therapy in the composition of medical expenses was found to be extraordinarily high in clinics compared to that of hospitals. The composition ratio of the fixed cost including charge for hospitalization also turned out to be fairly high in all medical institutions.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.79-84
• /
• 2012

Pediatric patients in hospital are at risk of malnutrition at admission and even during their hospitalization. Although the concept of nutritional support team (NST) was introduced to hospitals for optimal nutritional care since 1960s and the benefits of pediatric NST have been proven by many studies and reports in terms of patient clinical outcome and cost saving, the pediatric NST is not widespread yet. The pediatric NST composed of pediatricians, dieticians, pharmacist, and nutrition support nurses as core members dedicated to nutritional care in children should be independent of central NST or other disciplines, but closely cooperate with other teams in hospitals. There is no doubt that a multidisciplinary NST is an effective way to provide appropriate nutritional support to an individual patient. Therefore, the implementation of the pediatric NST in hospitals should be recommended to provide optimum nutritional support including enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition and to assess pediatric patients at risk of malnutrition.

• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.245-258
• /
• 2023

This study proposes a modification to the objective function of the support vector machine for the linearly non-separable case of a binary classifier y_i ∈ {-1, 1}. The modification takes into account the position of each data item x_i from its corresponding class centroid. The resulting optimization function involves the centroid mean vector, and the spread of data besides the support vectors, which should be minimized by the choice of hyper-plane β. Theoretical assumptions have been tested to derive an optimal separable hyperplane that yields the minimal misclassification rate. The proposed method has been evaluated using simulation studies and real-life COVID-19 patient outcome hospitalization data. Results show that the proposed method performs better than the classical linear SVM classifier as the sample size increases and is preferred in the presence of correlations among predictors as well as among extreme values.