• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.67-77
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• 2020

Purpose: The study aims to improve the quality of emergency medical services by surveying the user's satisfaction of 119 emergency medical services nationwide. Methods: From December 21 to December 27 each year from 2015 to 2017 a total of 5,889 people were surveyed by phone call in fire station. Results: The average degree of satisfaction with the emergency medical services was 4.17±0.70, with 85.1% respondents reporting being 'satisfied'. Factors like being a patient, injuries, residential area, and scene arrival time affected satisfaction. From 2015 to 2017, the satisfaction degree decreased every year, with factors affecting this results including "first aid guidance of phone call" and "rapidity of emergency medical services." The highest satisfaction factors were 'friendly acting of emergency medical services' and 'appropriate offer of emergency medical services', while the lowest satisfaction factors were 'first aid guidance of phone call' and 'adequacy of emergency medical team'. Conclusion: The quality of emergency medical services needs to be improved by managing the quality of phone call first aid guidance and the assignment of adequate emergency medical teams to increase user satisfaction.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.14-33
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• 2022

Purpose: To examine whether the Patient Experience Assessment (PEA) has led to perceptible changes at the ground level of health care, as a way of evaluating PEA as a policy intervention for quality improvement. Methods: Four focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted, each comprising six to eight participants who were employees responsible for patient experience at their respective hospitals. The primary focus of the FGDs was on questions such as: 1) How do hospitals respond to PEA? 2) What significant changes were observed after the implementation of PEA? 3) What were the unintended consequences of implementing PEA, if any? 4) What areas of improvement have been identified for maximizing the potential of PEA? Results: Two broad themes emerged out of the FGDs: changes observed post implementation of PEA, and areas for improvement of PEA. Four significant changes were reported by participants: changes in perception and attitude regarding patient experience in hospital employees, increased active involvement by the hospital leadership, enhanced efforts to improve patient experience, and increased cooperation between such activities. Furthermore, eight areas of improvement were identified, which have been grouped in three categories: improving the process of data collection for PEA, introducing additional catalysts to facilitate further changes, and paying attention to structure- and patient-level constraints that must be addressed in parallel. Conclusion: The implementation of PEA led to perceptible changes within hospitals, which implies that it can serve as an effective catalyst for improving patient experience. A number of areas of improvement that would aid in maximizing the potential of PEA were also identified.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.176-189
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• 1998

This study was conducted to evaluate the subjective ideas about the determinants of quality in ambulatory care unit among outpatients and medical staff of a university hospital, and to compare the differences of the ideas, between patients themselves and hospital staff. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted covering 799 outpatients and 190 hospital staff in March, 1998. The questionnaire included general characteristics and 26 determinants of ambulatory care quality. The following are summaries of the findings: 1. Both of outpatients and hospital staff perceived, "Physician's knowledge" as the most important determinant of medical care quality. 2. In respect of 7 determinants related to physician's knowledge and skill, both outpatients and hospital staff perceived "physician's knowledge and skill" as important determinants. The scores of determinants such as, "Not doing unnecessary examinations", and "Assignment of adequate number of patients and duty schedule for the physician" were significantly different between outpatients and hospital staff. 3. In respect of 4 determinants related to doctor-patient relationship, both outpatients and hospital staff perceived "attention to patient's complaints" as the most important determinant. The scores related to the determinants such as "kindness of physician" and "explanation of treatment outcome" were significantly different between outpatients and hospital staff. 4. Among the amenities related determinants, "Modern facilities and equipments" were perceived as the most important determinant in both group. 5. In respect of 8 determinants related to non-financial accommodation, outpatients perceived, "Waiting hours for treatment" as the most important determinant, and hospital staff perceived, "Kindness of hospital staff". 6. In respect of 4 determinants related to financial accommodation, outpatients perceived, "Fare account of medical cost" as the most important determinant, and hospital staff perceived, "Increasing reimbursements". Further comprehensive research should be made on the evaluation of perceptions of medical care quality, both of outpatient and inpatient care, among patients and hospital staff. So good quality in medical care will be achieved based on clients' needs.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.418-424
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• 2018

Background Complication rates after flap coverage for pressure ulcers have been high historically. These patients have multiple risk factors associated with poor wound healing and complications including marginal nutritional status, prolonged immobilization, and a high comorbidities index. This study utilizes the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) to examine perioperative outcomes of flap coverage for pressure ulcers. Methods Data from the NSQIP database (2005-2015) for patient undergoing flap coverage for pressure ulcers was identified. Demographic, perioperative information, and complications were reviewed. One-way analysis of variance and Pearson chi-square were used to assess differences for continuous variables and nominal variables, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors for complications. Results There were 755 cases identified: 365 (48.3%) sacral ulcers, 321 (42.5%) ischial ulcers, and 69 (9.1%) trochanteric ulcers. Most patients were older male, with some degree of dependency, neurosensory impairment, high functional comorbidities score, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 or above. The sacral ulcer group had the highest incidence of septic shock and bleeding, while the trochanteric ulcer group had the highest incidence of superficial surgical site infection. There was an overall complication rate of 25% at 30-day follow-up. There was no statistical difference in overall complication among groups. Total operating time, diabetes, and non-elective case were independent risk factors for overall complications. Conclusions Despite patients with poor baseline functional status, flap coverage for pressure ulcer patients is safe with acceptable postoperative complications. This type of treatment should be considered for properly selected patients.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.77-95
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the counseling status of overseas Koreans using emergency medical counseling services, identify frequently occurring types of diseases, explore approaches to emergency treatment guidance, and protect overseas Koreans from medical blind spots, thereby enhancing the quality of emergency medical counseling services. Methods: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kongju National University (KNU_IRB_2023-31), and data were collected and analyzed from 10,951 cases of emergency medical counseling services utilized by overseas Koreans from the National Fire Agency from 2018 to 2022. Results: Emergency medical consultation services for overseas Koreans included a majority of non-trauma patients, with medical consultations being predominant. Terrestrial patients commonly seek advice for internal medical symptoms, whereas maritime patients frequently present with trauma-related symptoms, with a higher incidence of cardiac arrest and altered consciousness cases at sea. The development of self-diagnostic tests based on internal medicine symptoms is necessary for terrestrial patients, whereas stakeholder education is required for maritime patients. Conclusion: Due to the different types of diseases occurring in terrestrial and maritime patients, emergency medical consultation services for overseas Koreans should be implemented according to the specific characteristics of each patient. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and disseminate response manuals that are tailored to medical and trauma-related symptoms.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.1-22
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• 2005

Quality of care and patient safety have become today's agenda for healthcare industry in worldwide. This paper describes experiences to improve quality of care and patient safety in USA and identifies some future tasks for better implementation of quality improvement efforts. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications for Korean healthcare system.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.106-116
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• 2000

Background : Severance Hospital is an university hospital which has 1,580 beds. A LAN system was installed in the Medical Record Department in 1992 and discharge abstract data have been added to the discharge abstract database(DB) The previous work flow in the Medical Record Department had 5 levels: 1) chart collection from wards, 2) assembling, 3) abstracting data from medical record on worksheet by 2 RRAs, 4) checking deficiencies and coding diagnosis and procedures by 4 RRAs, 5) inputting the data into the discharge abstract data base by 1 RRA. The average processing time took 19.3 days from the patient discharge date. It had the production of monthly statistical report delayed. Besides, it caused the users in the hospital to complain. Methods : A CQI team was organized to find a way to shorten the processing time less than 10 days. The team identified the factors making the processing time long and integrated three levels from the 3rd level into one. Each of 7 RRAs performed the integrated level on her workstation instead of taking one of three separate levels. The comparison of processing time before and after the changes was made with 3'846 discharges of April, 1999 and 4,189 discharges of August, 1999. Results : The average processing time was shortened from 19.3 days to 8.7 days. Especially the integrated level took only 3.6 days, compared with 12.3 days before the change. The percentage of finishing up the whole processing within 10 days from discharge was increased up to 77.6%, which was 2.4% before the integration. The prevalence of error in data input was not increased in the new method. Conclusions : The integrated processing method has the following advantages: 1) the expedition of production of monthly statistical report, 2) the increase of utilizing rate of dischare abstract data by Billing Dept, Emergency Room, QI Dept., etc., 3) the improvement of intradepartmental work follow, 4) the enhancement of medical record quality by checking the deficiencies earlier than before.

• The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.80-86
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• 2007

A critical pathway (CP) defines the optimal care process, sequencing and timing of intervention by multi-disciplinary health care teams for a particular diagnosis and procedure. It plays an important role as a cost-effective health care delivery system and a tool for quality control of medical and dental services by means of standardizing medical practices. The aim of this study is to investigate the satisfaction of patients and medical/dental staff after implementation of a critical pathway for dental treatment of disabled children under general anesthesia and its cost effectiveness. Ten patients who underwent dental treatment under general anesthesia were included in the CP group between August and December 2006. The pre-CP group included 20 patients who underwent the same procedure from February 2003. The satisfaction of parent of child patient and medical staff members were compared between two groups. The parents' satisfaction was significantly improved after the implementation of CP and medical/dental staff members were highly satisfied with the usefulness of the critical pathway. In conclusion, the critical pathway for the dental treatment of disabled treatment under general anesthesia can highly improve the satisfaction of parents and medical/ dental staff members.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.26-37
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• 2022

Purpose: Japan established the convalescent rehabilitation wards, corresponding to Korea's rehabilitation medical institutions, in 2000 and developed it into the present system through continuous revisions. This study sought to analyze the issues and tasks faced by Japan segregated by the period of revision of convalescent rehabilitation ward-related medical fee regulations, through a literature review and further aimed to explore the direction of development of domestic rehabilitation medical institutions. Methods: Ten revisions of the medical fee regulations were classified into three stages based on quality evaluation: (1) the quantitative expansion stage (2000-2006); (2) quality evaluation introduction stage (2008-2014); and (3) quality evaluation maturity stage (2016-2020). Results: The following issues and tasks emerged: (1) For the quantitative expansion stage; insufficient rehabilitation within the ward, insufficient after-hour rehabilitation, insufficient connection with acute-stage hospitals and maintenance facilities, and the low ratio of specialists. (2) For the quality evaluation introduction stage; disparity in the manpower between institutions, the necessity of a 365-day rehabilitation system, avoidance of critical patients, and the problem that an increase in the amount of rehabilitation did not lead to a qualitative improvement. 3) For the quality evaluation maturity stage; cream-skimming issues in selecting patients, inappropriate evaluation of rehabilitation effects, and the necessity of follow-up measures after discharge. Conclusion: It is worth referring to the established regulations in Japan, and concurrently it is necessary to strengthen the evaluation of the structures, processes, and results when operating and evaluating rehabilitation medical institutions in Korea taking into account the side effects that could be identified in Japan.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 2020

Objectives: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent and chronic, pruritic inflammatory skin condition that can influence all age groups. AD is associated with a poor health-related quality of life. This randomized clinical trial was performed to compare the effectiveness of Olivederma (combination of aloe vera and virgin olive oil) or betamethasone regarding disease severity, quality of life, serum IgE and eosinophil count. Methods: Thirty-six AD patients were randomly allocated to topical Olivederma or betamethasone, and were followed for 6 weeks. Results: Total SCORAD severity scores showed significant decrease in both groups, while it was more prominent in Olivederma group (64.5% improvement in Olivederma vs. 13.5% improvement in Betamethasone, p-value < 0.001). Quality of life (DLQI questionnaire) of AD patients was significantly improved after 6 weeks treatment with Betamethasone (22.3%, p < 0.001) and Olivederma (60.7%, p-value < 0.001). Olivederma group showed a significantly lower DLQI score in comparison with Betamethasone treated patients after 6 weeks of therapy (p < 0.001). Improvements in eosinophil count and serum IgE was observed. Conclusion: In summary, this study shows that Olivederma is superior to topical Betamethasone after 6 weeks of therapy with regard to disease severity, quality of life and eosinophil count.