• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7309-7314
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• 2013

Aim: To investigate factors that affect the place of death (POD) of terminal cancer patients. Materials and Methods: We recruited 702 consecutive patients (${\geq}18$ years) from 12 centers during July 2005 to October 2006, and 481 completed the questionnaire. In April 2011, we linked the data for 96.0% (n=462) of the deceased patients to the POD using the 2005-2009 death certificate data of Korea's National Statistical Office. The primary outcome variable was POD, and the predictive value of variables pertaining to patients and caregivers was evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Most patients died in a hospital (91.5%, n=441) and age, education, preference for place of terminal care, wish to use hospice/palliative care services, terminal cancer awareness, time between diagnosis and death, and global quality-of-life subscale of the EORTC QLQ-C30 of patients, and education and preference for place of terminal care of caregivers were significant predictors in univariate analyses. On multivariate analysis, patients and caregivers who preferred hospital/palliative care as the terminal care option over home care [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.68; 95% confidential interval (CI), 1.18-7.04 and aOR: 2.65; 95%CI: 1.15-6.09 for patient and caregiver preferences, respectively] and caregivers who were highly educated (aOR, 3.19; 95%CI, 1.44-7.06) were predictors of POD. Conclusions: Most of the terminal cancer patients died in a hospital. Our findings indicate that major predictors of hospital deaths are preference of both the patient and caregiver for hospital/palliative care as the terminal care option and higher education of the caregiver.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.5-18
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• 1999

The aim of this study is the development of a fee - based model day care center for the elderly by inquiring into the current condition of facilities in America and in Korea, and in surveying the opinion of domestic elderly about day care facilities. A field trip to U.S. day care services was held between July 5 and July 15 in 1997, and an on-the-spot study for domestic facilities took place during March in 1998. Our research reveals that the overall supply of day care facilities can not meet future demand in terms of quality and quantity. Therefore a model must be created for day care centers of a that consists of a director from a professional group. an adequate environment, and a standardized in order to offer a qualified public health service linked to the home and community in Korea. The director of a day care center is a critical variable in determining the quality of service. Professional skills related to the needs of the elderly and the person's quality of service should be considered in appointing director for the center. This study belleves that a professional nurse should be the director of a day care center. The operating environment of a day care facility should be made up of considerable space comparable to the number of residents, should be in a comfortable and safe location, and should have equipment that provides a qualified, safe service to the elderly. Our model is designed for 20 persons and allocates 4 Peng per person. This model is comprised of a reading room. a craft room, a health room, a room for physical therapy, a dining room, a staff office, and a multi -purpose room connected to other rooms. Day care service should be a comprehensive service program meeting the multidimensional needs of the elderly. A comprehensive service program needs a team of various professionals made up of the elderly family, participants, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, nutritionists, and medical doctors. The program will also include health care service, physical therapy, speech therapy. diet, occupational therapy, transportation service, health and an education program, etc. In conclusion, a model of a day care center is developed with the following components: a professional director and an environment and program, that considers the physical, mental, and social characteristics of the elderly. A model should also motivate self-reliance self-fulfillment in the elderly in order to fulfill their health needs and to prevent isolation from society and mental depression. Furthermore, This facility will be a beneficial factor in reducing a family's burden on caring for the elderly that includes unnecessary hospital expenses. The following is a suggestion based on results this study: A service program should be developed to fit the conditions of the elderly in Korea by specifically analyzing the needs of the elderly.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.230-240
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• 1997

Background : Hypercholesterolemia is a major independent risk factor of coronary heart disease. Practice guidelines for management of hypercholesterolemia had been made in several developed countries. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of practice guideline reminders and flow-sheets to improve the quality of management of hypercholesterolemia. Methods: Practice guideline reminders and flow-sheets based on National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel II guidelines, were placed on the office desks of outpatient department of family medicine at the Asan Medical Center. Before this intervention, we educated the doctors to use these reminders and flow-sheets. The charts of all patients who had cholesterol levels greater than or equal to 240 mg/dl during 4 months before and after introduction of reminders and flow-sheets, were reviewed retrospectively. We compared the performances of physicians about management of hypercholesterolemia between pre-intervention period and post-intervention period. Results: The detection rate of hypercholesterolemia in post-intervention period was increased to 83.2% compared by 71.5% in pre-intervention period. Risk factor analysis for coronary heart disease increased significantly from 16.9% to 68.7%. Adequacy of management was 19.2% in pre-intervention period and 78.0% in post-intervention period. It showed statistically significant improvement in management of hypercholesterolemia. Conclusion : This study suggested that practice guideline reminders and flow-sheets were the effective methods in improving the quality in management of hypercholesterolemia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2022

Background: We evaluated the long-term effects of domiciliary noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) used to treat patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials of COPD with NIPPV for longer than 1 year. Mortality rates were the primary outcome in this meta-analysis. The eight trials included in this study comprised data from 913 patients. Results: The mortality rates for the NIPPV and control groups were 29% (118/414) and 36% (151/419), suggesting a statistically significant difference (risk ratio [RR], 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65-0.95). Mortality rates were reduced with NIPPV in four trials that included stable COPD patients. There was no difference in admission, acute exacerbation and quality of life between the NIPPV and control groups. There was no significant difference in withdrawal rates between the two groups (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.72-1.36; p=0.94). Conclusion: Maintaining long-term nocturnal NIPPV for more than 1 year, especially in patients with stable COPD, decreased the mortality rate, without increasing the withdrawal rate compared with long-term oxygen treatment.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was done to develop evidence-based nursing practice guidelines to prevent complications related to indwelling urinary catheterization (IUC) in patients in Korea. Methods: A guideline adaptation process was conducted according to the guideline adaptation manual which consists of three main phases, and 9 modules with a total of 24 steps. Results: The newly developed IUC guideline consisted of an introduction, urinary catheterization, summary of recommendations, recommendations, references, and appendices. There were 110 recommendations in 8 sections including assessment, equipment, catheter insertion, catheter maintenance, catheter change, catheter removal, management of complications, and education/consultation. For the grade of recommendations, there were 6.4% for A, 22.7% for B, 67.3% for C. Conclusion: The IUC guideline was developed based on evidence and therefore it is recommended that this guideline be disseminated and utilized by nurses nationwide to improve the quality of care for patients with IUC and decrease complications related to IUC and that it be revised regularly.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.551-565
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop a day care center model focused on public health institutions for the elderly residing in their homes. Method: Research design for this study was a mult-level research, which consisted of a related literature review, an Internet search for knowledge of the current situation at home and abroad, on-site interviews, questionnaires collected from a sample of residents in a rural area, and a key-informants approach. Results: 1) The subjects of service - Generalized service should be provided to the elderly, 65 years and older, regardless of their assets. 2) The contents of service - Providing pre-health oriented and post-social welfare service that can integrate and satisfy a wide variety of public health and welfare needs of the elderly would strengthen the health care service of a day care center for the elderly. 3) Delivery system - Basic-level local self-governments should become a central operating body, and establishing a properly adjusted delivery system to a rural area after considering the efficiency and the access of vulnerable rural areas is needed based on modification of 'a Special Law for Agricultural and Fishery Areas' (rural public health center>rural health sub-center ${\rightarrow}$ unified health sub-center ${\rightarrow}$ public health hospital (public health center) ${\rightarrow}$ public welfare office). 4) Facility - Public health facilities such as public health centers and sub-centers should be located in areas that can easily access the facilities. 5) Funding - For day care center for the elderly in local self-government, the central government should modify a relevant implementation of subsidy in and provide some facilities and service regardless of the degree of self reliance of local self-government. 6) Human resources - It is needed to guarantee the period of workers of a day care center for the elderly, at least 3 to 5 years, with considering their specialty on aged care and avoiding circulation based positions. Furthermore, appropriate specially trained personnel such as medical workers and social workers should be placed to take care of both health service and welfare through strengthening of 'rules of law of elderly welfare,' Conclusion: future research is needed to test the model through a demonstration study using a model which may be developed in the future and to standardize the appraisal criteria of people hoping to enter a day care center for the elderly.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.3-26
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• 2015

Recently, Practicing of ghost surgery and duty of informed consent of doctors have become a big issue in the medical dispute and lawsuits. The ground of admitting the informed consent and the agreement(self-determination of patients) can be based on the dignity of man and the right to pursue his happiness guaranteed under Article 10 of the constitution in theory. However there are no explicit legal regulations on the duty of the informed consent and there is no substantive legal enactment on the informed consent, but there is a collision between self-determination of patients and the discretionary power of doctors. If the discretionary power on the duty of the informed consent was extended it may result in the infringement of the right of surgical patients, so called arbitrary medical treatment. Relating to this issue, New Jersey Supreme Court held that a patient has the right to determine not only whether surgery is to be performed on him, but also who shall perform it. Moreover it held that a surgeon who operates without the patient's consent engages in the unauthorized touching of another and, thus, commits a battery'. But there are no ghost surgery cases adopting battery theory in Korea, and professional negligence has been considered rather than the battery, regarding an absence of hostile intent to injure patient. Supreme Court of Korea held that a doctor who operates a medical procedure without the patient's valid prior consent based on wrong diagnosis commits professional negligence resulting in injury, and the patient's invalid consent do not preclude wrongfulness'. However, if a health care provider conducts a completely non-consensual treatment or substitute surgeon without consent, the action should be plead in battery, not negligence, but if a health care provider violate his duty of care in obtaining the consent of the patient by failing to disclosure all relevant information (risks) that a reasonable person would deem significant in making a decision to have the procedure, the action should be plead in negligence, not battery. Therefore, the scope of patients' self-determination can be protected by stating clearly the scope of the duty of the informed consent and the exemption of the informed consent legislatively, it is considered that it is valid to legislate the limitation of the discretionary power.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.12-31
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to develop the qualification system for training of Quality improvement professionals who work for improving patients' safety and healthcare quality. Methods : Based on the various laws and regulations, and the operational status of other professionals' qualification systems, a basic plan of professional qualification system of QI was drawn. And through meetings with QI experts, the final scheme of the concrete qualification system was developed. Results : For management of professionals's certification or qualification, fairness and reliability are important. To do this, setting the official standard, providing a standardized training program and having appropriate qualification test are required. In order to operate the qualification system strategically, 1) the introduction step, 2) dissemination and expansion step, and 3) fusing step should be considered. As a governing body for QI specialists' qualification, 'QI professionals' qualification Center (tentative)' must have the committee to assure fairness, professionalism, and reliability. In addition, 'QI Experts Certification Department (tentative)" to develop standards for the qualification tests and conduct the tests program,' QI experts Education Department (tentative name)" must be able to operate and maintain the QI training for professional qualifications. QI professional qualification exam must be taken by everyone regardless of age, gender, race, occupation, education, and work experience. The examination should include management, leadership, strategic planning and design, quality management, health care information, patient safety culture. Practical training courses can have three step programs; beginning, intermediate and special level. Conclusion : The QI qualification system need strategic approaches for the experts working for healthcare quality improvement and patient safety. It should include the program of standardized contents and test, and operating protocol of the qualificaton system.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.5
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• pp.328-334
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• 2011

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality throughout the world and is the only major disease that is continuing to increase in both prevalence and mortality. The second Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey revealed that the prevalence of COPD in Korean subjects aged ${\geq}45$ years was 17.2% in 2001. Further surveys on the prevalence of COPD were not available until 2007. Here, we report the prevalence of spirometrically detected COPD in Korea, using data from the fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES IV) which was conducted in 2007~2009. Methods: Based on the Korean Statistical Office census that used nationwide stratified random sampling, 10,523 subjects aged ${\geq}40$ years underwent spirometry. Place of residence, levels of education, income, and smoking status, as well as other results from a COPD survey questionnaire were also assessed. Results: The prevalence of COPD (defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 sec/forced vital capacity <0.7 in subjects aged ${\geq}40$ years) was 12.9% (men, 18.7%; women, 7.5%). In total, 96.5% of patients with COPD had mild-to-moderate disease; only 2.5% had been diagnosed by physicians, and only 1.7% had been treated. The independent risk factors for COPD were smoking, advanced age, and male gender. Conclusion: The prevalence of COPD was 12.9% in the KNHANES IV data. Most patients with COPD were undiagnosed and untreated. Based on these results, a strategy for early COPD intervention is warranted in high risk subjects.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.56-65
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• 1994

Total quality management has been a focus of concern in recent years since some dissatisfaction with the results from implementation of quality assurance programs in the U.S. Many managerial methodologies and innovation guidelines from academic disciplines have been applied to promote TQM programs in the health field. This paper consists of two folds of aspects: firstly to examine TQM's managerial philosophy by comparing with the newly introduced managerial concepts in Business Reengineering; and then to introduce a method for an integrative way of process analysis, Entity Life-Cycle Diagram (ELCD) modeling. The analysis method was compared with Process Map, which is a well-known method for BR applications. To show effectiveness of ELCD modeling, a case of application was introduced using 'drug' as a target entity. With having TQM issues in mind, the result was reflected in designing Entity Relation Diagrams. The results of ELCD modeling turn out to be helpful in designing database related to quality monitoring, in that many monitoring check points can be identified in a systematic way and that queries cross-sectional over organizational boundaries can be generated with a consistent view focusing on the drug use as a single process. Full evaluation of the analysis method remains to be studied until the completion of the information system under construction. But as long as TQM is based on a process-oriented view and needs supports from information system, ELCD can be one of the appropriate choice as a tool for the process analysis.