• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.179-186
• /
• 2012

Objective : Even in the patients with neurologically good outcome after intracranial aneurysm surgery, their perception of health is an important outcome issue. This study aimed to investigate the quality of life (QOL) and its predictors of patients who had a good outcome following anterior circulation aneurysm surgery as using the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument-Korean version. Methods : We treated 280 patients with 290 intracranial aneurysms for 2 years. This questionnaire was taken and validated by 99 patients whose Glasgow Outcome Scale score was 4 and more and Global deterioration scale 3 and less at 6 months after the operation, and 85 normal persons. Each domain and facet was compared between the two groups, and a subgroup analysis was performed on the QOL values and hospital expenses of the aneurysm patients according to the type of craniotomy, approach, bleeding of the aneurysm and brain injury. Results : Aneurysm patients showed a lower quality of life compared with control patients in level of independence, psychological, environmental, and spiritual domains. In the environmental domain, there were significant intergroup differences according to the type of craniotomy and the surgical approach used on the patients (p<0.05). The hospital charges were also significantly different according to the type of craniotomy (p<0.05). Conclusion : Despite good neurological status, patients surgically treated for anterior circulation aneurysm have a low quality of life. The craniotomy size may affect the QOL of patients who underwent an anterior circulation aneurysm surgery and exhibited a good outcome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.10
• /
• pp.1333-1339
• /
• 2000

Objective : The goal of this study is to identify the significant radiologic abnormalities in patients complaining headache and to determine predictive factors for clinically significant radiological abnormalities. Method : The study population was 410 patients having underwent CT or MRI study among 1000 patients complaining headache in outpatient basis between 1996-1999. All of these patients answered self-administered questionaire about their headaches. We reviewed the patient's charts and the questionaires and examined the radiologic study results. Result : Of the 410 patients referred for CT or MRI study, male : female ratio was 1 : 1.97. Twenty-five patients(6.1%) revealed clinically significant organic lesions. Mean age was 46.1 in radiologic abnormal group and 48.4 in normal group. Short symptom duration(p<0.01), motor weakness(p<0.05), vomiting(p<0.05), cranial nerve palsy(p<0.05), and trauma history(p<0.05) were factors indicated higher incidence of radiologic abnormality. But, patients age, and severity of headache were not associated with clinically significant radiologic lesion. The ratio of radiologic abnormality was 0.8% in patients not having any risk factor. Conclusion : The results indicate that radiologic study should be done in headache patients having the risk factors such as short symptom duration, motor weakness, vomiting, cranial nerve palsy, trauma history. For patients without any such a risk factor, the radiologic study doesn't seem mandatory.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2010

Objectives: By analyzing data of pediatric patients who had visited the emergency room of an oriental medical hospital, we can understand their characteristics and diseases. The purpose of this study was to introduce the excellence of Oriental medicine, to develop various treatments and to revitalize pediatric emergency care at oriental medical hospital. Methods: The study was composed of 371 pediatric patients who had visited the emergency room of the $\bigcirc\bigcirc$ university oriental hospital from January 2008 to December 2009. Results: 1. Average age of the pediatric patients was 4.28 years old, and it has showed that 1 to 3 years old patients (36.7%) were the most common age. 2. The number of pediatric patients was increased in June. According to the weekly distribution data, the number of pediatric patients who had visited on Sunday was the most (29.1%). Also, the number of pediatric patients who had visited ER for 18 to 21 hours(35.6%) were the most common. 3. The major problems of hospitalization were digestive symptoms and nervous symptoms. The nervous symptoms were the most at infancy. The musculoskeletal symptoms were the most common in adolescence. The digestive symptoms were common in other stages of development. 4. The time interval between arrival and onset; within 6 hours were the most(48.0%). Acupuncture and herbal medication treatment(75.2%) were the most common medical treatments. Most of the pediatric patients(97.3%) were discharged after medical treatments. Conclusions: Pediatric patients who had visited emergency room at the oriental medical hospital were mostly not due to acute form of serious diseases. The most common disease states that have preferred to treat with oriental medicine were dyspepsia, crying, febrile fit, and ankle sprain. We have to introduce the excellence of oriental medicine, and we need to try to develop other treatments such as magnetic acupuncture, moxa therapy, aroma therapy and revitalize pediatric emergency care at oriental medical hospital.

• Journal of Clinical Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.190-197
• /
• 2018

Background and Objectives : Positional OSAS is characterized by an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) score >5, which, while sleeping in the supine position, is double that in non-supine position. This study was performed to compare the clinical characteristics of positional OSAS and non-positional OSAS patients, and the effects of the modified jaw thrust maneuver during drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) between positional OSAS and non-positional OSAS patients. Materials and Methods : 68 positional OSAS patients and 19 non-positional OSAS patients were included. They all underwent full-night polysomnography and DISE. The modified jaw thrust maneuver was introduced during DISE. Airway structural changes induced by the modified jaw thrust maneuver were evaluated and documented. Results : There were no statistically significant differences in Friedman stage or tonsil grade, body mass index, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) score, blood pressure, AHI, or obstructive pattern between the positional and non-positional OSAS patients. However, mean arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), lowest SaO2, and total arousal index values were more severe in the non-positional OSAS patients. After introduction of the modified jaw thrust maneuver, retrolingual level obstruction showed a tendency toward a higher rate of airway opening in positional OSAS patients than in non-positional OSAS patients. Conclusions : The effects of a mandibular advancement device (MAD) can be estimated by carrying out a modified jaw thrust maneuver during DISE. The tendency toward a higher rate of airway opening in positional OSAS patients than non-positional OSAS patients in retrolingual level obstruction after jaw thrust maneuver introduced during DISE may be clinically important for MAD.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.376-384
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The Armed Forces Trauma Center of Korea was established in April 2022. This study was conducted to report our 1-year experience of treating soldiers with open fractures of the lower extremity. Methods: In this case series, we reviewed the medical records of 51 Korean soldiers with open fractures of the lower extremity between April 2022 and March 2023 at a trauma center. We analyzed patients with Gustilo-Anderson type II and III fractures and reported the duration of transportation, injury mechanisms, injured sites, and associated injuries. We also presented laboratory findings, surgery types, intensive care unit stays, hospital stays, rehabilitation results, and reasons for psychiatric consultation. Additionally, we described patients' mode of transport. Results: This study enrolled nine male patients who were between 21 and 26 years old. Six patients had type II and three had type III fractures. Transport from the accident scene to the emergency room ranged from 75 to 455 minutes, and from the emergency room to the operating room ranged from 35 to 200 minutes. Injury mechanisms included gunshot wounds, landmine explosions, grenade explosions, and entrapment by ship mooring ropes. One case had serious associated injuries (inhalation burn, open facial bone fractures, and hemopneumothorax). No cases with serious blood loss or coagulopathies were found, but most cases had a significant elevation of creatinine kinase. Two patients underwent vascular reconstruction, whereas four patients received flap surgery. After rehabilitation, six patients could walk, one patient could move their joints actively, and two patients performed active assistive movement. Eight patients were referred to the psychiatry department due to suicidal attempts and posttraumatic stress disorder. Conclusions: This study provides insights into how to improve treatment for patients with military trauma, as well as medical services such as the transport system, by revising treatment protocols and systematizing treatment.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.726-736
• /
• 2003

Introduction: This study was conducted to investigate patients' satisfaction with hospital services at a university hospital in G city. Methods: The subjects of this study were 92 inpatients and data were collected during the period from March to April 2003. The research tool used was a 24-item scale(Cronbach' a= .768) on patients' satisfaction with two subcategories of services: 18 items on hospital human resources(a= .722) and 6 items on hospital environment(a= .700). Data were analyzed through $x^2$-test, t-test and ANOVA using SPSS/PC. Results: The level of patients' satisfaction was $38.4{\pm}3.77$ on hospital services $27.6{\pm}6.14$ on hospital human resources, and $10.8{\pm}2.39$ on hospital environment on the average. Satisfaction related to hospital human resources was higher in male subjects (t = 4.15, p = .003) and in those who stayed longer than 15 days (t= 4.404, p= .039) than the others, and also higher in those who replied that all items related to hospital facilities are satisfactory except the parking lot. Satisfaction related to hospital environment was significantly higher in more educated subjects(F = 2.945, p= .037) and in those who replied that all items related to hospital facilities are satisfactory or appropriate except the parking lot and admission procedure. Conclusions: Length of stay and the level of accessibility and appropriateness of hospital facilities were found to be factors that have significant effects on patients' satisfaction.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.18
• /
• pp.8559-8561
• /
• 2016

Purpose: To evaluate efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases. Methods: During January 2010 to April 2012, 56 colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases underwent RFA. CT scans were obtained one month after RFA for all patients to evaluate tumor response. (CR+PR+SD)/n was used to count the disease control rates (DCR). Survival data of 1, 2 and 3 years were obtained from follow up. Results: Patients were followed for 10 to 40 months after RFA (mean time, $25{\pm}10months$). Median survival time was 27 months. The 1, 2, 3 year survival rate were 80.4%, 71.4%, 41%, 1 % respectively. 3-year survival time for patients with CR or PR after RFA was 68.8% and 4.3% respectively, the difference was statistically significant. The number of CR, PR, SD and PD in our study was 13, 23, 11 and 9 respectively. Conclusions: RFA could be an effective method for treating colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases, and prolong survival time, especially for metastatic lesions less than or equal to 3 cm. But this result should be confirmed by randomized controlled studies.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.24-36
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this paper is to find the factors affecting the number of patients per physician for a day at hospital and compare them with the results of previous studies. We used data of Korean national patients survey that had been carried out by central government and local health centers from October 27th to November 11th in 1999. Descriptive analyses were performed to overview the general characteristics of our study subject. Also, we tried to find the factors affecting the number of patients per physician for a day at hospital through t test and correlation analysis. Factors affecting the number of outpatients per physician for a day at hospital are location, training type, ownership, No. of physicians, No. of beds per physician, No. of physicists per physician, No. of nursing aids per physician and No. of medical technicians per physician. While factors affecting the number of inpatients per physician for a day at hospital are location, ownership, No. of physicians, No. of beds per physician, No. of pharmacists per physician, No. of nurses per physician, No. of nursing aids per physician and No. of administrative auxiliary personnels per physician. The most correlated variable with outpatients per physician for a day at hospital is No. of medical technicians per physician while the most correlated variable with inpatients per physician for a day at hospital is No. of beds per physician. A more detailed investigation is needed for verifying factors affecting the number of patients per physician for a day at hospital and other medical institutions.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.37-55
• /
• 2012

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of fixed critical pathway with emr (electronic medical record) on the length of hospital stay, the cost and quality of care provided to gastrectomy patients in a university hospital and to develop flexible critical pathway with emr which can be used excluded or drop-out patients. Methods : Thirty-eight patients with gastrectomy were included as case group and Thirty-four patients included as control group. The comparison between control and case with using fixed critical pathway were done. To develop and to evaluate usefulness of flexible critical pathway with flexible data base, simulation was done for flexible critical pathway with drop-out patients. Result : The major results of this study were as follows: There were no significant differences in patient clinical conditions and no sign of deterioration of quality from critical pathway. The length of hospital stay was 11 days in control group, 8 days in path group(P<0.01). The total costs during the hospital stay were reduced in path group. However the cost per day was significantly increased from reduction of hospital stay(554,352 won in control, 645,669 won in path group). One hundred percentage of drop out patients(60) in the simulation of flexible critical pathway was successful. Conclusion : Computerized critical pathway reduced the length of hospital stay, total hospital costs and resource utilization without harming quality of patient care. The flexible critical pathway program can be used as one of the powerful management tools for reducing the practice variations and increasing the efficiency of care process and decreasing the workload of doctors and nurses in Korean hospital settings.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.82 no.3
• /
• pp.211-216
• /
• 2019

Background: Docetaxel is one of the standard treatments for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Docetaxel is usually administered in a 3-week schedule, but there is significant toxicity. In this phase II clinical study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of a 4-weekly schedule of docetaxel monotherapy, as first-line chemotherapy for advanced squamous cell carcinoma in elderly lung cancer patients. Methods: Patients with stage IIIB/ IV lung squamous-cell carcinoma age 70 or older, that had not undergone cytotoxic chemotherapy were enrolled. Patients received docetaxel $25mg/m^2$ on days 1, 8, and 15, every 4 weeks. Primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity profiles. Results: A total of 19 patients were enrolled. Among 19 patients, 17 were for evaluated efficacy and safety. In the intent-to-treat population, ORR and disease control rate (DCR) were 11.8% and 47.1%, respectively. In the response evaluable population, ORR was 16.7% and DCR was 66.7%. Median PFS and OS were 3.1 months and 3.3 months, respectively. There were three adverse grade 3/4 events. Grade 1 neutropenia was reported in one patient. Conclusion: Our data failed to demonstrate efficacy of a 4-weekly docetaxel regimen, in elderly patients with a poor performance status. However, incidence of side effects, including neutropenia, was lower than with a 3-week docetaxel regimen, as previously reported.