• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.39-45
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• 2021

Scrubbers that treat hazardous materials at workplaces have high treatment efficiency; however, the design is complex, and pumps need to be operated 24 hours a day, which can be costly. Therefore, to minimize the operating costs, small businesses do not install scrubbers, or operate them while circulation pumps are suspended. Hence, this study investigated the application of low-cost, high-performance scrubbers that can be used economically in small businesses. Low-cost, high-efficiency scrubbers are applied to bubble columns to utilize devices for hazardous chemical absorption treatment purposes, and for the development of these scrubbers, absorption performance was reviewed and the optimal application method was studied under certain conditions. The changes in the absorption performance of hazardous gas were studied in certain environments by varying the physical conditions, and the optimal application methods were analyzed. The results showed that, while it was possible to treat some of the gas flowing into the low cost, high performance scrubber, the treatment capacity was reduced. Performance degradation was prevented by supplying an absorption liquid, and a certain level of absorption was maintained depending on the amount of circulation. Based on this, three types of site application methods of low cost, high performance scrubbers were presented. In addition, the appropriate timing of circulation and anti freezing measures were also discussed.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2010.07a
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• pp.246-247
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• 2010

This paper deals with the water treatment of the leachate from sewage filled ground by a pulsed power technology. Leachate from sewage filled ground should be treated below regulation level of COD in order to prevent environmental pollution and usually treated by a chemical method. Among the pollutants mixed in the leachate, chemical compounds of benzene series are known to be difficult to break down, and need to use high cost treat methods. The treatment of the benzene compounds by high power pulsed power supply was studied. For the high-rate, cost-effective treatment of leachate, pulsed power supply should have high repetition rates and require switching devices of long lifetime. In order to meet the demands of the above condition, pulsed power generator based on semiconductor switches using IGBTs as primary switches were developed. The experimental results verified that benzene compounds can be treated effectively by high voltage electric pulses, and this fact indicates that the treatment method by pulsed power source is a promising substitute.

• Proceedings of the Korea Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry Conference
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• 2006.06b
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• pp.325-329
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• 2006

Nippon Paper Industries, Co., Ltd. declared conversion of all the bleaching process to ECF, and most of the production had converted by now. To reduce ECF bleaching cost, we found that depending on electricity supply condition of the mill, utilization of ozone bleaching could be very effective. In addition, hot acid treatment of unbleached pulp also seemed to be effective for hardwood. In this study, several conditions for each technology were examined with the pulps from our own mills to reduce bleaching cost and to keep fiber quality acceptable level. In hot acid treatment study, with mild conditions (temperature lower than $90^{\circ}C$), sufficient reduction in Kappa number and hexenuronic acids content of the pulp were observed, while pulp viscosity was maintained. Moreover, to maintain strength of bleached pulp that subjected both to ozone bleaching and hot acid treatment, recommended Kappa number after ozone bleaching was more than 3. Based on these findings, two of our mills had installed medium-consistency ozone bleaching facilities and three mills installed hot acid treatment. Especially in Yatsushiro mill, both were installed in one bleaching line (A-ZD-E/P-D sequence), and running successfully.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1-14
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to estimate the magnitude of patient's actual cost-sharing for hospital services in the National Health Insurance which has been estimated with only a few hospitals or limited number of patients. Also we aimed at analysis of factors influencing the magnitude. Sources of analyzed data were two databases. 1997 medical benefits record of the National Federation of Medical Insurance and 1997 Statistics for Hospital Management from the Korea Institute of Health Services Management(KIHM). We merged two databases and related records for 224 hospitals. based on the identification details of each hospital. The average percent of patients' cost-sharing was 51.7% of total hospital revenues from the insurance. with 40.3% of revenue in inpatient and 67.4% in outpatient. respectively. The contributing hospital factors to the magnitude of cost-sharing were size of hospitals. teaching status. location. number of employed physicians. etc. Larger and university hospital. urban location. and with more physicians were positively correlated with higher level of cost-sharing. Additionally, the higher the expenses of inpatient's treatment was, the higher the size of patient's cost-sharing was. These findings suggest that present level of patients' cost-sharing is quitely high and it is urgent to reduce the patient's cost-sharing to the reasonable level. It would be necessary to extend the coverage of insurance benefits and to develop policies focusing on larger hospitals and inpatient services.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.121-126
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• 2011

The provisions regarding the standard cost for recycling stated under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) since 2002, include different and complicated obligatory steps to be taken on a variety of subject items regarding the collection, the transportation and the treatment, making the corporations face in their calculating and executing the standard cost. This study presents more objective calculation scope and standard for the purpose of efficient operation of the standard cost for recycling, in consideration of the general industry perception toward cost issue as well as domestic/overseas case studies regarding the standard cost for recycling. Besides, the study presents the checking items and the calculation contents per step to calculate the standard cost for recycling. Therefore, it is expected not only to be used as the objective standard to calculate the standard cost for recycling, but also to contribute to increasing the work efficiency in the following ongoing re-calculation process and to maintaining the consistent operation of the institution.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3173-3177
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• 2016

Background: The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Lebanon provides cancer drugs free of charge for uninsured patients who account for more than half the total case-load. Other categories of cancer care are subsidized under more stringent eligibility criteria. MOPH's large database offers an excellent opportunity to analyze the cost of cancer treatment in Lebanon. Materials and Methods: Using utilization and spending data accumulated at MOPH during 2008-2013, the cost to the public budget of cancer drugs was assessed per case and per drug type. Results: The average annual cost of cancer drugs was 6,475$ per patient. Total cancer drug costs were highest for breast cancer, followed by chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), which together represented 74% of total MOPH cancer drug expenditure. The annual average cancer drug cost per case was highest for CML ($31,037), followed by NHL ($11,566). Trastuzumab represented 26% and Imatinib 15% of total MOPH cancer drug expenditure over six years. Conclusions: Sustained increase in cancer drug cost threatens the sustainability of MOPH coverage, so crucial for socially vulnerable citizens. To enhance the bargaining position with pharmaceutical firms for drug cost containment in a small market like Lebanon, drug price comparisons with neighboring countries which have already obtained lower prices may succeed in lowering drug costs.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.52-61
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• 2015

Objectives: Because recently hospital had to faced with financial hardship, we have to have more effective hospital management. The purpose of this study was to reduce loss costs of the hospital through the systematic management of medical supplies and increase operational efficiency. Methods: The team was composed of outpatient nursing staff, medical record administrator, nurses in medical insurance, medical computer center, dermatologists for this study. We surveyed for 114 people including outpatient nursing staff, nurse aids, medical assistant, physician assistant. Pre-survey period was 2013.03.11 ~ 03.30(2 weeks), and post-survey period was 2013.09.03 ~ 09.17(2 weeks). Result: We improved this way through the computational improvement, conservation campaigns, inventory management, staff training, replaced by low-cost medical supplies. The finding of this study were as follows: Comparing before and after the activity of outpatient nursing staff's degree of knowledge, performance, economic consciousness, the degree of knowledge, performance was increased, but there was no significant change in economic consciousness. Performance of Married person is higher than the unmarried, In addition, the high-position people were more the degree of knowleage, economic consciousness. After activity, correlation of goods and treatment, examinations is increasing, but statistically there was no mean. Conclusion: This study revealed that knowledge in a short period of activity, but also can improve, perform the same change in behavior is not easy. This one shows the intensive training required to sustained and systematic behavioral changes, such as changes in behavior, perform rituals to help the economy. Expensive medical supplies to replace a similar effect as the cost of materials just to have a lot of cost savings. Therefore, more medical supplies change is necessary to develop alternative treatment and cost cutting.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.163-170
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• 2022

Background: Personal mobility devices (PMDs) have become an increasingly popular transport modality globally. With increasing social interest in and demand for PMDs, the number of individuals visiting emergency departments with PMD-related injuries has also increased annually. This study aimed to evaluate injury patterns and treatment costs for patients treated in the department of plastic surgery in a trauma center. Methods: In this retrospective study, data concerning patients with PMD-related injuries from January 2017 to December 2021 were reviewed. The data retrieved included age, sex, alcohol consumption, helmet use, the type of impact, onset of injury, place of first visit, type of injury, admission status, operation status, and treatment cost. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of various factors on cost. Results: Data were collected from 93 patients. Until 2019, the annual number of PMD-related accidents was less than 10; however, this number increased sharply in 2020. The average cost of hospitalization was USD 7,698 whereas the average cost of non-hospitalization was USD 631. Only fractures had a significant association with total cost in linear regression analysis (p< 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of PMD use and related injuries requiring plastic surgery during the study period showed significant health and financial costs both to the patients involved and to society. This cost could be reduced through stricter regulations concerning PMD use, advocating the use of protective gear, and promoting greater awareness of safety measures and of the consequences of PMD-related accidents.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.275-278
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• 2002

In this study, to increase removal efficiency of traditional electrokinetic treatment and to reduce contaminant load of wastewater that discharged through cathode compartment, enhanced electrode compartments were investigated. Hydroxide precipitation near the cathode electrode that encounter during traditional electrokinetic treatment were prevented by enhanced electrokinetic remediation test with newly invented electrode compartment. And heavy metal concentration in wastewater showed 0 ppm thus, additive post-treatment cost were not needed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.6-8
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• 2002

Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is an advanced but expensive form of 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy technique. While the initial clinical data appear to be promising for some treatment sites, the cost effectiveness of the treatment modality has yet to be justified by long-term clinical outcome. This presentation reviews the potential efficacy and limitation of IMRT in respect of the practicality, dosimetry, and resource aspects. It tries to explore and draw conclusions on the strategies for using this sophisticated and expensive treatment technique from AFOMP perspective.