• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.104-114
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• 1997

Background : Hospitals(Health care providers) are under tremendous pressure to meet consumer demands in order to compete in the rapidly changing health care arena. Through evaluating patient satisfaction, hospitals(health care providers) can learn what the consumer Wants from the health care system. Timely feedback is necessary. The purpose of this study is to evaluate patients' hospital experience and satisfaction using telephone interview and to study the usefulness for telephone interview at assessing patient satisfaction. Method : The 846 patients who were discharged from September 17, 1996 to October 11, 1996 were targeted were telephoned. The informations gathered telephone survey were processed by computer and analyzed for the patient satisfaction, contributing factors. Result : The 846 patients who were discharged from September 17, 1996 to October 11, 1996 were called and 197 patients(23.3%) were successful interviewed. 51.3 percent of respondents were male and mean age is 39 years mean LOS(length of stay) is 13 days and 110(56.1%) patients were admitted by outpatients clinic. The mean calling-time is 5.5 minutes. There is no significant difference between interviewers(telemarketer) in patients satisfaction. Seven telephone interviews are possible by interview a day. There in no significant difference between groups in patients satisfaction in length of stay, path of admission, the interval between discharge and interview. 97.5 percent of respondents were satisfied with telephone interview and 81.7% were satisfied with overall satisfaction and 79.4 % of respondents were good response in interviewers' conclusion. Of six variables that were found to be correlated with telephone interview and eight variables correlated with overall hospital satisfaction, a multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that two most important variables which are significantly correlated with telephone interview are to meet doctors, not ask tediously then three variables which are with overall satisfaction are doctors explain, subject response, convenient facilities. Conclusion : The patients interviewed are satisfied with telephone interview. Telephone interview is good method for assessing patient satisfaction, making high levels of patient satisfaction and for hospital marketing.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.180-187
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• 2010

Purpose: The "golden hour" concept in trauma is pervasive despite little evidence to support it. This study addressed the association between prehospital time and in-hospital mortality in seriously injured abdominal trauma victims. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted over a three-year period from 2006 to 2008. We analyzed trauma victims with abdominal injuries who underwent an emergency laparotomy in a local emergency center located in a city with a population of 2,500,000. According to the 'golden hour' oncept, we separated the trauma victims into two groups (Gourp 1: prehospital time ${\leq}$ 1 hour, Group 2: prehospital time > 1hour) and investigated several factors, such as time, process, and outcome. Results: During the period from January 2006 to December 2008 139 trauma victims underwent an emergency laparotomy, and 89 of them were enrolled in this study. Between the two groups, emergency department (ED) access, transportation, and injury mechanism showed statistically meaningful differences, but no statistically meaningful differences were observed in various measures of the outcome, such as length of hospital stay, length of Intensive Care Unit stay, and mortality. In a univariate logistic regression study, age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.101; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.026 to 1.182), Revised Trauma Score (RTS) (OR: 0.444; 95% CI 0.278 to 0.710), hemoglobin (OR: 0.749; 95% CI: 0.585 to 0.960), and creatinine (OR: 24.584; 95% CI: 2.019 to 299.364) were significant prognostic factors, but prehospital time was not. In a multivariate logistic regression study, age and RTS were significant associated with mortality. Conclusion: In this study, we found no association between prehospital time and mortality among abdominal trauma patient who underwent an emergency laparotomy. We suggest that in our current out-of-hospital and emergency care system, until arrival at the hospital time may be less crucial for trauma victims than once thought.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.37-47
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of adjusted out-of-pocket maximum rules in the 'differential co-payment ceiling', which means having a higher burden of co-payment, that expanded to the entire ceiling level in long-stay admission patients in long-term care hospitals(LTCH). Methodology: We used health insurance claim data between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022 received from the National Health Insurance Service. The study populations were inpatients in long-term care hospitals more than 1 days during the study period. We performed the difference in characteristics of the LTCH patient of the differential and general ceiling by the chi-square test. We estimated the change of the population, cost, and co-payments per person under the assumption of restructuring. Finding: Based on adjusted out-of-pocket maximum rules in 2023, it was expected that the number of benefits decreases at the high-income level while increasing at the low-income level. The burden of health expenditure after reimbursement of co-payment ceiling, is expected to increase by 65.1% in the highest medical necessity, whereas the low medical necessity would decreases compared to 2022. Practical Implications: The results demonstrate that the current out-of-pocket maximum rules do not reflect the needs of medical necessity. This study suggested the need to reflect the medical necessity in LTCH on the out-of-pocket maximum rules in the future.

• Neurospine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.338-347
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• 2018

Objective: Patients with extradural spine tumors are at an increased risk for intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and postoperative wound dehiscence due to radiotherapy and other comorbidities related to systemic cancer treatment. In this case series, we discuss our experience with the management of intraoperative durotomies and wound closure strategies for this complex surgical patient population. Methods: We reviewed our recent single-center experience with spine surgery for primarily extradural tumors, with attention to intraoperative durotomy occurrence and postoperative wound-related complications. Results: A total of 105 patients underwent tumor resection and spinal reconstruction with instrumented fusion for a multitude of pathologies. Twelve of the 105 patients (11.4%) reviewed had intraoperative durotomies. Of these, 3 underwent reoperation for a delayed complication, including 1 epidural hematoma, 1 retained drain, and 1 wound infection. Of the 93 uncomplicated index operations, there were a total of 9 reoperations: 2 for epidural hematoma, 3 for wound infection, 2 for wound dehiscence, and 2 for recurrent primary disease. One patient was readmitted for a delayed spinal fluid leak. The average length of stay for patients with and without intraoperative durotomy was 7.3 and 5.9 days, respectively, with a nonsignificant trend for an increased length of stay in the durotomy cases (p=0.098). Conclusion: Surgery for extradural tumor resections can be complicated by CSF leaks due to the proximity of the tumor to the dura. When encountered, a variety of strategies may be employed to minimize subsequent morbidity.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.214-219
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• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: Open cholecystectomy is becoming obsolete and laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the treatment of choice in gallstone diseases. Difficult gallbladders are encountered whenever there is a frozen calot's triangle, obliterated cystic plate, or both. Rather than converting to open procedure, there has been a growing preference for laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) during difficult gallbladders. This study aimed to assess the advantages, indications, and viability of LSC in difficult gallbladders. Methods: The study included patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in NIMS Hospital, Jaipur, from January 2021 to January 2023. Data of the patients who underwent LSC for difficult gallbladders included demographics, comorbidities, operative time, conversion to open cholecystectomy, length of hospital stay, and complications. LSC was classified into three types depending on the part of the gallbladder remnant. Results: A total of 728 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Among them, 41 patients (5.6%) were attempted for LSC. However, one patient was converted to an open procedure and the rest 40 underwent LSC. LSC was divided into 3 types, 4 patients underwent LSC type I, 34 patients underwent type II, and 2 patients type III. The average operating time and postoperative length of hospital stay were 86.2 minutes and 2.1 days, respectively. Two patients had surgical site infection. No patient had a bile leak and none required intensive care unit care. Conclusions: LSC is a safe and feasible option for use in difficult gallbladders.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2023

Background: We analyzed our experience with descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) treatment and investigated the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for mediastinal drainage. Methods: This retrospective analysis included patients who underwent surgical drainage for DNM at our hospital from 2005 to 2020. We analyzed patients' baseline characteristics, surgical data, and perioperative outcomes and compared them according to the mediastinal drainage approach among patients with type II DNM. Results: Twenty-five patients (male-to-female ratio, 18:7) with a mean age of 54.0±12.9 years were enrolled in this study. The most common infection sources were pharyngeal infections (60%). Most patients had significantly increased white blood cell counts, elevated C-reactive protein levels, and decreased albumin levels on admission. The most common DNM type was type IIB (n=16, 64%), while 5 and 4 patients had types I and IIA, respectively. For mediastinal drainage, the transcervical approach was used in 15 patients and the transthoracic approach (VATS) in 10 patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 26.5±23.8 days, and the postoperative morbidity and in-hospital mortality rates were 24% and 12%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found among patients with type II DNM between the transcervical and VATS groups. However, the VATS group showed shorter mean antibiotic therapy duration, drainage duration, and hospital stay length than the transcervical group. Conclusion: DNM manifested as severe infection requiring long-term inpatient treatment, with a mortality rate of 12%. Thus, active treatment with a multidisciplinary approach is crucial, and mediastinal drainage using VATS is considered relatively safe and effective.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.559-569
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose was to investigate nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes(nosocomial infection, patient fall, pressure ulcer). Method: The subjects of this study were 305 nurses from 20 general hospitals who worked at 39 medical and surgical wards. Self-reporting questionnaire which was developed by the writer through preceding study was used. In data analysis, SPSS WIN 10.0. program was utilized for descriptive statistics, ANOVA. Result: The mean of patient-to-nurse ration was 5.2:1. 65% among 20 hospitals was over 300 beds, 90 was located in urban area and 55 was private hospitals. Patient-to-nurse ration of hospitals in under 300 beds or rural area or private ownership was lower than hospitals in 300 beds or urban area or public ownership. 89.9 among 39 wards was medical or surgical wards. The mean of length of stay, 8-14 days got a majority and showed higher patient-to-nurse ration. Of the general characteristics, rural was significantly hight to patient fall(F=3.205, p<.05), medical unit was significantly high to patient fall, pressure ulcer(patient fall: F=8.890, p<.001, pressure ulcer: F=3.399, p<.05) and over 15 days was significantly higher than under 14 days of the mean of length of stay. And there was significant relationship between over 6.0:1 and over 4.0:1 to less than 5.0:1(F=4.817,p<.01). Conclusion: This study has shown a relationship between patient-to-nurse ration and patient fall using not objective research tool but self-reporting questionnaire. Therefore further research is needed to study using objective research tool. Based on this study, the effect of nurse staffing levels on patient outcome also has to be studied.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.203-213
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• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: The standard treatment for acute cholecystitis, biliary pancreatitis and intractable biliary colics ("hot gallbladder") is emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This paper aims to identify the prognostic factors and create statistical models to predict the outcomes of emergency LC for "hot gallbladder." Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted on 466 patients having an emergency LC in 17 months. Primary endpoint was "suboptimal treatment," defined as the use of escape strategies due to the impossibility to complete the LC. Secondary endpoints were postoperative morbidity and length of postoperative stay. Results: About 10% of patients had a "suboptimal treatment" predicted by age and low albumin. Postop morbidity was 17.2%, predicted by age, admission day, and male sex. Postoperative length of stay was correlated to age, low albumin, and delayed surgery. Conclusions: Several predictive prognostic factors were found to be related to poor emergency LC outcomes. These can be useful in the decision-making process and to inform patients of risks and benefits of an emergency vs. delayed LC for hot gallbladder.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.296-311
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to identify factors related to the workload of intensive care unit nurses through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to provide basic data to explore the direction of development of nursing staffing standards. Methods: This study involved quantitative studies about nurses working in intensive care units related to nursing workload published in English or Korean since 2000. Search terms included 'intensive care unit', 'nursing workload', and their variations. Databases such as RISS, DBpia, MEDLINE(PubMed), CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were utilized. Quality assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies. JAMOVI software facilitated the analysis of effect sizes, employing a meta-analysis approach for 7 studies with correlational or regression data. Results: From 16 studies on the workload of intensive care unit nurses, a total of 20 patient and nurse-related factors were identified. Patient-related factors included severity of illness, length of stay, and age. Meta-analysis was conducted for three patient-related factors: age, severity of illness measured by SAPS 3, and length of stay. Only severity of illness measured by SAPS 3 was significantly associated with nurse workload (Zr=0.16, p<.001, 95% CI=0.09-0.24). Conclusion: In previous studies, the characteristics of intensive care units and patients varied across studies, and a variety of scales for measuring workload and severity of illness were also used. Sustained research reflecting domestic intensive care unit work environments and assessing the workload of intensive care unit nurses should be imperative.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 2022

Objective: To compare the removal torque of microimplants upon post-use removal and post-retention removal and to assess the influencing factors. Methods: The sample group included 241 patients (age, 30.25 ± 12.2 years) with 568 microimplants. They were divided into the post-use (microimplants removed immediately after use or treatment) and post-retention (microimplants removed during the retention period) removal groups. The removal torque in both groups was assessed according to sex, age, placement site and method, and microimplant size. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed for evaluating variables influencing the removal torque. Results: The mean period of total in-bone stay of microimplants in the post-retention removal group (1,237 days) was approximately two times longer than that in the post-use removal group (656.28 days). The removal torques in the post-retention removal group (range, 4-5 N cm) were also higher than those in the post-use removal group. The mandible and pre-drilling groups demonstrated higher placement and removal torques than did the maxilla and no-drilling groups, respectively. In the no-drilling post-use removal group, the placement torque and microimplant length positively correlated with the removal torque. In the post-retention removal group, unloading in-bone stay period and microimplant diameter positively correlated with the removal torque in the no-drilling and pre-drilling methods, respectively. Conclusions: The removal torques differed according to the orthodontic loading and removal time of microimplants. With prolonged retention of microimplants inserted using the no-drilling method, the removal torque was clinically acceptable and positively correlated with the unloading in-bone stay period.