• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2009

Purpose: The postoperative hospital stay after gastric cancer surgery is usually 8 to 14 days. The main reason for a prolonged hospital stay may be the 3 to 4 day period of postoperative starvation. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of a critical pathway for early recovery after gastric cancer surgery, and this pathway included early postoperative feeding. Materials and Methods: One hundred three consecutive patients who underwent gastric resection and reconstruction for gastric cancer from October 2007 to June 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital were prospectively enrolled in a fast-track critical pathway. The pathway included minimal preoperative procedures, optimal pain relief, proper fluid administration, early mobilization and early enteral nutrition at postoperative 1 day. The exclusion criteria were determined preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively. Results: Of the 103 patients, 19 patients were excluded for preoperative (5), intraoperative (7) and postoperative (7) reasons. Eighty-four patients (81.6%) were included in the fast-track critical pathway. Sixty-eight (88.6%) of 84 patients were discharged at the planned 8 day after surgery during the initial period of the study, and the postoperative hospital stay was shortened up to 6 days during the more recent period. Postoperative complications occurred in 22 patients (26.2%), and these were gastrointestinal track-related complications in 6 cases (3 cases of ileus, 1 case of stasis and 2 cases of leakage) and infection-related complications in 8 cases. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of morbidity according to the clinic-operative features that included age, gender, stomach resection and lymphadenectomy. Conclusion: The fast-track critical pathway with using the available exclusion criteria was a valid option for patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.649-657
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• 2016

This study is aim to investigate how applying a critical pathway(CP) to stomach cancer patients affects their recovery and treatment. The subjects were 165 patients over the age of 20 who were diagnosed with stomach cancer at the gastrointestinal clinic of C hospital and who underwent laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy. The case group inclueded 102 patients who underwent laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy with applying the CP from October 2008 to September 2009. The control group included 63 patients who underwent laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy without applying the CP from September 2007 to September 2008. Pain at the time of discharge was significantly lower in the CP applicated group than in the non-applicated group (Odds ratio [OR], 0.07; 95% Confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.21). The CP applied group was significantly lower than non-applied group in total hospitalization days (CP applied group: 8.95[1.33], non-applied group: 10.69[4.04], p<0.001) and in postoperative hospitalization days (CP applied group: 7.16[0.94], non-applied group: 8.79[3.90], p<0.001). In conclusion, application of a critical pathway to laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy reduced pain at the time of discharge, total hospitalization days and postoperative hospitalization days.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.175-191
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the medical record of eight cases of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a local Korean medicine clinic, in order to provide evidence on Korean medicine treatment of PCOS and to suggest the direction of future studies. Methods: The medical records of eight cases diagnosed with PCOS based on 2003 Rotterdam Criteria and whose total testosterone level was 0.53 ng/ml and over were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was total testosterone level, and the secondary outcomes included luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, LH/FSH ratio, weight, last mentrual period (LMP), numerical rating scale (NRS) score of dysmenorrhea, and other associated symptoms pre- and post-treatment. Korean medicine treatment consists of the complex herbal prescription consisting of Yukmijihwang-tang, Baekho-tang, Daesiho-tang, and Gyejibokryeong-hwan, modified according to symptoms; acupuncture and electroacupuncture on 中脘 (CV12), 下脘 (CV10), 關元 (CV4), 石門 (CV5), 合谷 (LI4), 太衝 (LR3), 三陰交 (SP6), and 懸鍾 (GB39); and indirect moxibustion on 神闕 (CV8). Results: The average total testosterone level lowered statistically significantly after the treatment. The average FSH and LH levels lowered with insignificance, while the average LH/FSH ratio and weight lowered statistically significantly. During the treatment period of three to six months, every patient had the menstrual cycle shortened except for one case; and two cases with infertility problem succeeded in being pregnant. There was no adverse event. Conclusions: The Korean medicine treatment was found effective in treating PCOS, especially regarding hyperandrogenism, amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea, and infertility.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2009

Objectives : The approach to Hwabyung from all angles is needed to develop the clinical practice guideline. To achieve this approach, various tools should be used practically and systematically. Methods : We gather the tools based on multi aspects of Hwabyung's characteristics. The tools will be used to each steps of clinical practice guideline development. Results : For the clinical practice guideline, there should be applied many kinds of tools, such as for decision and assesment, survey with oriental medicine property, collecting individual stress information, mental and psychological trait, and related or following disease. Conclusions : Application of many objective tools provides the evidence-based medical approaches for development of clinical practice guideline for Hwabyung.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.41-61
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• 2018

Purpose: Falls are one of the most frequent health events in medical institutions, however, they can be predicted and prevented. The Quality Improvement Nurse Society clinical practice guideline Steering Committee developed the Clinical Practice Guideline for the assessment and prevention of falls in adult people. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk factors for falls in adults aged 19 years and older, to present an evidence for preventing falls, formulate a recommendations, and indicators for applying the recommendations. Methods: This clinical practice guideline was developed using a 23-step adaptation method according to the Handbook for clinical practice guideline developer (version 1.0) by National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency. Evidence levels and recommendation ratings were established in accordance to SIGN 2011 (The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network). Results: The final 15 recommendations from four domains were derived from experts' advice; 1) assessment of risk factor for falls in adult 2) preventing falls and reducing the risks of falls or falls-related injury 3) management and reassessment after a person falls 4) leadership and culture. Conclusion: This clinical practice guideline can be used as a basis for evaluation and prevention of fall risk factors for adults, to formulate recommendations for fall risk assessment and fall prevention, and to present monitoring indicators for applying the recommendations.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.311-316
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• 2021

The number of patients referred to pain clinic is increasing. The purpose of this study was to describe and understand characteristic of patients referred to the tertiary pain clinic. This study was conducted on 587 patients who had been referred to pain clinics at three university hospitals in the Jeollabuk-do region from January 2011 to December 2015. The data was retrospectively collected on a record sheet prepared in the clinic. we analyzed these patients according to their age, sex, chief complaint, pain location, coexisting disease, referring department, referral causes. There were various medical problems addressed by a pain clinic consultation. It is reasonable to develop standardized guidelines for pain management. To do so, it is necessary to identify the characteristics of the patients. A study with more patients in another area will be helpful in characterizing the patients referred to the pain clinic in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.92-109
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• 2023

In patients with thyroid nodules, ultrasonography (US) has been established as a primary diagnostic imaging method and is essential for treatment decision. The Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (K-TIRADS) is a pattern-based, US malignancy risk stratification system that can easily diagnose nodules during real-time ultrasound examinations. The 2021 K-TIRADS clarified the US criteria for nodule classification and revised the size thresholds for nodule biopsy, thereby reducing unnecessary biopsies for benign nodules while maintaining the appropriate sensitivity to detect malignant tumors in patients without feature of high risk thyroid cancer. Thyroid radiology practice has an important clinical role in the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of patients with thyroid nodules, and should be performed according to standard practice guidelines for proper and effective clinical care.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.123-134
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• 2000

This study intended to analyze the effectiveness to obtain by developing the critical pathway presented as the method to improve the quality-betterment and cost effectiveness the through the continuous and consistent patient management for the hysterectomy patient and applying it to the real practice. This study was designed to develop and effect the critical pathway for hysterectomy patients in the way to be possible the intergrated in patient management. It was adopted the process of seven phase to develop a critical pathway. To analyze the application effect of the developed critical pathway, this author offered health care service applying the critical pathway to the hysterectomy patient from July. 20 to Oct. 19. 1999. The study method had been done by investigating the experimental group and control group through the questionnaire on 40 patients who had been inpatient hysterectomy. Dependent variables were measured by modified from satisfaction, and cost and length of hospital stay. The data anlyzed by frequency, x2-test, t-test. The results of this study was as follows; 1. It was decided that the vertical line of the critical pathway was made up of eight items such as monitoring/assessment, treatment, activity, medication, consult. Lab test, diet, patient teaching and horizontal line was 7days from admission to discharge. 2. After the verifying the validity of the expert group about the critical pathway, the horizontal line was amended from hospitalization to five postoperative days and taking their consensus, some contents of the horizontal line was amended and deleted. 3. There was no significant differences in the experimental group and control group in the satisfaction, and significant differences in the cost, the length of hospital stay.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify demographic, clinical, physical, and psychosocial factors affecting discharge delay in lumbar spinal surgery patients who were treated according to a critical pathway. Methods: A sample of 170 patients with lumbar spinal surgery agreed to participate in the study, between April 1, 2014 and August 30, 2015. Data were analyzed by mean, standard deviation, t-test, ${\chi}^2$-test, ANCOVA, and logistic regression analysis using SPSS 22.0 program. Results: Approximately fifty-nine percent of the participants was delayed discharge. On logistic regression analysis, female gender (OR=2.63, 95% CI=1.40~4.94), age (OR=1.03, 95% CI=1.01~1.05), spondylolisthesis (OR=4.49, 95% CI=1.90~10.61), and spinal fusion operation (OR=4.14, 95% CI=1.89~9.05) were significant factors predicting discharge delay of the participants. However, discharge delay was not related with pain, physical function, depression, or family support. Conclusion: An analysis of discharge delay may assist in evaluating and revising critical pathway for optimal care. In addition, nurses need to understand the factors affecting discharge delay of the given population who were treated according to a critical pathway.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.204-212
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• 2012

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness and variance of a critical pathway (CP) for laparoscopic colon resection in colon cancer patients, and nurses'satisfaction with the CP. Methods: A CP for laparoscopic colon resection was applied to the CP-group that included 50 patients, who underwent elective colon resection between March and May, 2011. The non-CP group included 51 patients who had the same operation without the CP applied from March to May, 2010. Results: The means of length of hospital stay were 11.7 and 7.3 days (p<.001) and the lengths of postoperative hospital stay were 8.6 and 5.1 days (p<.001) in the non-CP group and CP group, respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups for total healthcare costs, pain score, complications, or emergency room visits within 30 days after discharge. By examining variances of the CP, there were 162 variances and the most frequent cause was patient's condition. Nurses'satisfaction with the use of CP was favorable and the mean score of satisfaction was 3.76 on the 5 point Likert scale. Conclusion: There are clear benefits to use of CP, resulting in standardized and effective patient care. In conclusion, analysis of variance data can assist in evaluating and revising CP for optimal care and reducing variances.