• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.783-786
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• 2015

Background: Utilizing geriatric screening tools for the identification of vulnerable older patients with cancer is important. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hospitalization risk of elderly hematologic cancer patients based on geriatric assessment and laboratory parameters. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study 61 patients with hematologic malignancies, age 65 years and older, were assessed at a hematology outpatient clinic. Standard geriatric screening tests; activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), timed up and go test (TUG), geriatrics depression scale (GDS) were administered. Demographic and medical data were obtained from patient medical records. The number of hospitalizations in the following six months was then recorded to allow analysis of associations with geriatric assessment tools and laboratory parameters. Results: The median age of the patients, 37 being males, was 66 years. Positive TUG test and declined ADL was found as significant risk factors for hospitalization (p=0.028 and p=0.015 respectively). Correlations of hospitalization with thrombocytopenia, vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency were statistically significant (p=0.004, p=0.011 and p=0.05 respectively). Conclusions: In this study, geriatric conditions which are usually unrecognized in a regular oncology office visit were identified. Our study indicates TUG and ADL might be use as predictive tests for hospitalization in elderly oncology populations. Also thrombocytopenia, and vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies are among the risk factors for hospitalization. The importance of vitamin B12 and folic acid vitamin replacement should not be underestimated in this population.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.136-142
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• 2014

Background: This study is to research on how hypertension control is associated with adherence in newly diagnosed hypertension patients. Methods: The study is based on 255,916 patients who were diagnosed with hypertension in 2009 and didn't have any previous medical history of hypertension or associated complication for the past year using data collected by National Health Insurance Corporation. Newly diagnosed hypertension patients are divided into two group by visiting medical center numbers (more than 300 days was adherence group, if not non-adherence group). Patients are considered to have successfully controlled their hypertension based on blood pressure measured by health examination. Chi-square test and logistic regression, repeated measured analysis of variance was used to analyze. Results: The relations between adherence and hypertension control show that 1.12 times of patients in adherence group was able to control their hypertension. The additional analysis proves that adherence group are more decreased level of blood pressure than non-adherence group except for patients who are over 70. Comparison of the average of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure between adherence and non-adherence groups shows that the blood pressure has been significantly among the adherence group. Conclusion: The study proves that constant treatment for hypertension could control the blood pressure and encourages patients to put more effort for persistent treatment. It also shows that hypertension treatment are more effective in younger patients than the elderly and strategies of approaching are different depending on age.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 2011

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease of a cranial nerve and has a main symptoms of irregular movement of muscle, stiffening, trembling which occurred by about 1% of population in the age of over 65. Moreover, the and prevalence rate and attack rate are soaring according to increase of elderly population. However, allopathy and surgery were done through dopamine and anticholinergic medicine for treatment but it developed a lot of complications due to medicine and progress since it makes slow progress or can't stop the treatment. Hereupon, I report that there is a case on one of the patients Young Jin Oriental Medical Clinic. The patient who is in state of treatment termination who doesn't need any further remedy and no worsening of symptoms after conduction of therapies of dialectic and 5 upright life cure regulations. 5 upright life cure regulations means five practive way for improvement of nature healing power. Upon undertaking the 5 upright life cure regulations, there were found significant results in such tests as Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn & Yahr Staging Scale, and Activity of Daily Living (ADL), and the ingestion of Benztropine 1mg and Requip 0.25mg was decreased from 3 times to 0 times. The study offers objective clinical data on Oriental Medicine treatment for Parkinson's disease which is one of representative neuro-degenerative diseases and thus broadens the application range of Oriental Medical treatment and presents the fundamental data on the clinical research on Parkinson's disease by adopting evidence-based medicine (EBM).

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.170-181
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• 2011

Purpose: There is considerable variability in rates of hospitalization for patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in part because of physicians' uncertainty in assessing the severity of illness at presentation. The purpose of the study was to examine the current treatment patterns and factors influencing the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and clinical outcomes in the patient with CAP. Method: The retrospective data collection of the patients with CAP was conducted and the data were reviewed. The collected data included demographic, clinical, laboratory and microbiological medical information. All patients were stratified into three risk groups according to PSI: low risk (PSI score I-II), moderate risk (III) and high risk (IV-V) groups. The examined treatment patterns were the appropriateness of admissions, category of antibiotics used. The prognostic factors associated with PSI and clinical outcomes were examined. Results: One hundred and six patients' medical data were reviewed. The overall appropriateness of admissions was low presenting many of patients were admitted or intensely treated in the hospital despite of lower risk of prognosis and treated with intravenous antibiotics instead of oral fluoroquinolones. Primary pneumonia pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (27%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (21.6%). Mean LOS was 8.5 days and was significantly longer (10.0days) (p<0.001) in high risk group. The patients with age >65 (p<0.001), diabetes mellitus (p<0.001), mental alteration (p<0.001), and/or $PaO_2$ <60 mmHg (p<0.001) had a tendency to have higher PSI. The prognostic factors associated with longer LOS were age >65 years (p=0.008), mental status alteration (p<0.001), dyspnea (p=0.002) and PSI score (p=0.001). The prognostic factors associated with mortality were congestive heart failure (p=0.038), systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg (p=0.002) and arterial pH <7.35 (p=0.013). Conclusion: Most of patients were found to over-utilize medical service according to appropriateness of admissions. The elderly, mentally altered patients with low $PaO_2$ had higher PSI score with increased risk of LOS. The mortality could be increased in the patient with disease state of congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and/or acidosis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.2 s.57
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• pp.437-461
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• 1997

Because of a significant improvement in the economic situation and development of scientific techniques in Korea during the last 30 years, the life expectancy of the Korean people has lengthened considerably and as a result, the number of the elderly has markedly increased. Such an increase of the number of aged population brought about many social, economic, and medical problems which were never seriously considered before. This study was conducted to assess the trend of medical care utilization and medical expenditure of the elderly. The data of each patient in the study were taken from computer database maintained for administrative purpose by the Korea Medical Insurance Corporation. The study population was 132,670 who were 60 years old or more and registered in Korean Medical Insurance Corporation from 1989 to 1993. The study subjects were predominantly female(56.3%) and 10,000-20,000 Won premium group(50.6%). The following are summaries of findings : The total increase of the number of inpatient cases was 40.5% from 1989 through 1993. The average annual increase was 3.7% in inpatient medical expenditures per case, 4.4% in inpatient medical expenditures per day and 0.08% in length of stay per case from 1989 through 1993. Cataract was the most prevalent disease of 10 leading frequent diseases in all ages from 1989 through 1993. The case mix in 1993 compared to 1989 revealed that cataract and ischemic cerebral disease were increased whereas essential hypertension and pulmonary tuberculosis were decreased . The average annual increase of medical expenditures was 3.8% in general hospitals, 6.3% in hospitals and 2.4% in clinics. From 1989 through 1993, medical expenditures used by high-cost patients accounted for about 14% to 20% of all expenditures for inpatient care, while they represented less than 2.5% of the elderly population. Time series analysis revealed that total medical expenditures and doctor's fee for inpatient will be progressively increased whereas drug expenditures for inpatient will be decreased. And there will be no change in length of stay. Based on the above results, the factors increasing medical cost and utilization should be identified and the method of cost containment for the elderly health care should be developed systematically.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.28-41
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• 2003

Background : Because unplanned readmissions to intensive care unit(ICU)might be related with undesirable patient outcomes, we investigated the pattern of and reason for unplanned ICU readmission to provide baseline data for reducing unplanned returns to ICU. Methods : The subjects included all patients who readmitted to ICU during the same hospitalization at a tertiary referral hospital between January 1st and June 30th 2002. Quality improvement(QI) nurse collected the data through medical records and a medical director reviewed the data collected. Results : 1) The average unplanned ICU readmission rate was 5.6%(gastroenterology 14.6%, pediatrics 12.7%, pulmonology 11.9%, neurosurgery 6.3%, general surgery 5.3%, chest surgery 3.9%, and cardiology 3.3%). 2) Among the unplanned readmissions, more than 50% of cases were from patients older than 60 years, and the main categories of diagnose at hospital admission were neurologic disease(29.9%) and cardiovascular disease(27.6%). 3) Of unplanned ICU readmissions, 41.8% had recurrence of the initial problems, 44.8% had occurrence of new problems. And 9.7% required post-operative care after unplanned operations. 4) The most common cause responsible for unplanned ICU readmission were respiratory problem(38.3%) and cardiovascular problem(14.3%). 5) About 40% of unplanned ICU readmission occurred within 3 days after ICU discharge. 6) Average length of stay of the readmitted patients to ICUs were much longer than that of non-readmitted patients. 7) Hospital mortality rate was much higher for unplanned ICU readmitted patients(23.6%) than for non-readmitted patients(1.5%) (P<0.001). Conclusions : This study showed that the unplanned ICU readmitted patients had poor outcomes(high morality and increased length of stay). In addition study results suggest that more attention should be paid to patients in ICU with poor respiratory function or elderly patients, and careful clinical decisions are required at discharged from ICU to general ward.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.31-46
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• 2011

The purpose of this survey was to give data and information about type and needs of Home Physical Therapy, Visiting Physical Therapy and School Physical Therapy for physical and nurse. The subjects were 154(99 physical therapists and 55 nurses) who were working at geriatric rehabilitation hospitals and children hospitals. The period of questionary collection was from the 15 of August to the 15th of September 2011. And data was analysis from 99 articles such as journals related to physical therapy, and searched with keyword 'home and visiting physical therapy' by web site and Korea National Assembly Library from 1991 to 2011. The data was analysis with percentage, mean, standard deviation and ANOVA by SPSS PC 12.0. The results were as follows; 1. The definition of 'Home Physical Therapy' has been community based on physical therapy service for the patient who had diagnosis by medical doctor, has been based on medical law. The definition of 'Visiting Physical Therapy' has been community based on physical therapy service at home for the patient who had diagnosis by medical doctor, for the national basic living security, and senior citizen over 65 years who lives alone, has been based on law for community health and law of long term health insurance. The definition of 'School Physical Therapy' has been school based on physical therapy service at school after class for the disabled children who are studying at school, has been based on special education law article 28. 2. As for the knowledge of the Home and Visiting and School Physical Therapy, both groups PT and nurse were 'I do not know'125(81.3%) of the difference the concept of 3 definitions, so it means to need education and information about the different concept of three physical therapy. As for the needs of home and visiting physical therapy, both groups of PT and Nurse were 'needs' 151(98.1%). Physical therapist showed of 'Needs' on visiting physical therapy 35(35.4%), home physical therapy 32(32.3%), and schole physical therapy 32(32.3%). Nurse showed of 'Needs' on home physical therapy 23(41.8%). visiting physical therapy 19(34.5%), school physical therapy 13(23.6%). Therefore it is necessary to have home and visiting physical therapy as for the elderly and disabled person. 3. As for the qualification of Home and Visiting physical therapist, both PT and nurse groups showed as follows; take post graduation education program for home and visiting therapy after became PT : home physical therapist 108(70.1%), visiting physical therapist 106(68.8%). So it means education center or university can be developed post graduation program for home and visiting physical therapist. 4. As for the 'Needs' of school physical therapy, both groups of PT and nurse showed as follows; 'Needs' 142(92.2%), 'Needs superviser education program' 148(96.1%), in PT group showed 'I will participate of education program' 92(92.9%). 5. As for the present states of research papers or report of home, visiting, and school physical therapy was as follows; the 103 papers for 8 fields about' the needs of home and visiting physical therapy' from 1991 to 2011, the 13 papers for 2 fields about school physical therapy from 2001 to 2011, so total papers were 114 articles.

• 한국노년학
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.883-903
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• 2016

The purpose of the study is examining the mediation effect of caregiver burden's segmentalized sub factors between dementia caregivers on the relationship between Symptom extent of dementia patients and Suicidal Ideation of dementia caregiver, and suggesting social welfare intervention methods for dementia caregiver The survey is targeted to demented elderly people and caregivers, and currently using medical care institution and day care center in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Pusan city. As a result of the survey, 415 cases were collected for the final analysis. In data analysis process, we used SPSS 21.0 for the mediation effect of conversational satisfaction and its significance, and the results are following. First, 21% of the caregivers responded that they had thoughts of suicide in the past year. Second, Symptom extent of dementia patients was positively related to caregiver burden. Third, worse in family relationships, which is sub factors of mediate variable, has partial mediate effect on the model. Based on these outcomes, we suggest the importance and necessity of improved approach about dementia elderly and caregiver between elderly couple as way to reduce caregiver burden and proposed social work-based intervention program for enhancing this.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.167-174
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• 2019

The propose od this study was to examine the extent of using physical restraint on elderly patients (over 65 years old) and who were patients in long-term care hospitals. The data was collected, from March 3 2018 to March 29 2018, from the electronic nursing records by using a recording tool, and clinical observation was also used for assessing the use of physical restraint and the related factors. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients and logistic regression were then performed. The usage rate for physical restraints in long-term care hospital was 83.7%, and the most common type of physical restraint was side rails. The use of physical restraints showed a positive correlation with the fall risk scores and a negative correlation with the MMSE. Logistic regression analysis showed that the Fall Risk Score (OR=1.02, 95% CI=1.01~1.03), MMSE (OR=0.94, CI=0.88~0.99) and the use of medical devices (OR=0.80, 95% CI=0.65~0.98) were related with using physical restraints. Therefore, it was confirmed that physical restraint was used in cases of a high risk of falling, severe cognitive impairment and the use of complex and fragile medical devices to treat the patient. Clinical nursing practice should be changed so that treatment alternatives can be applied for elderly patients rather than using too many physical restraints.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.37-49
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to investigate the level of competition between Public Health Centers (PHCs) and private clinics (PCs) by examining the number of patients that used PHCs vs. PCs, estimating the total amount of revenue generated from outpatient services at both PHCs and PCs, thereby analyzing the financial impacts on PCs derived from the PHCs. We utilized 2011 National Inpatient Sample data (NIS). Using the 20 table containing general information on each individual claims, we integrate it with the 40 table which contains all the diagnostic codes for each claim. Then, we disaggregate the bundled claims into the original individual claims. Overall, 3.1% of outpatient visits are made at PHCs while the rest was made at the PCs (96.9%). Among the total claim costs of 6.34 billion USD (as of 2011), PHCs occupy 2.0% (124 million USD), and 98.0% are contributed to PCs (6.21 billion USD). The estimated economic losses of PCs due to PHCs are summarized as follow; the maximum potential loss is estimated at 198 million USD in total and 7,099 USD per clinic when we include all patient types; the minimum loss is estimated at 71 million USD in total and 2,540 USD per clinic where Medical Aid recipients and the elderly (aged 65 and over) are excluded. Our results confirm the potential economic effect on PCs due to PHCs providing outpatient services. PCs and PHCs are the most important players providing primary care in Korea. Unnecessary competition between PCs and PHCs is not desirable. Health authorities should carefully examine the healthcare services currently provided by PHCs and their impacts on PCs.