• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.331-339
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• 2016

Background: Occupational risk management is known as a catalyst in generating superior returns for all stakeholders on a sustainable basis. A number of companies in Ghana implemented health and safety measures adopted from international companies to ensure the safety of their employees. However, there exist great threats to employees' safety in these companies. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level of compliance of Occupational Health and Safety management systems and standards set by international and local legislation in power producing companies in Ghana. Methods: The methodology is conducted by administering questionnaires and in-depth interviews as measuring instruments. A random sampling technique was applied to 60 respondents; only 50 respondents returned their responses. The questionnaire was developed from a literature review and contained questions and items relevant to the initial research problem. A factor analysis was also carried out to investigate the influence of some variables on safety in general. Results: Results showed that the significant factors that influence the safety of employees at the hydroelectric power plant stations are: lack of training and supervision, non-observance of safe work procedures, lack of management commitment, and lack of periodical check on machine operations. The study pointed out the safety loopholes and therefore helped improve the health and safety measures of employees in the selected company by providing effective recommendations. Conclusion: The implementation of the proposed recommendations in this paper, would lead to the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses of employees as well as property damage and incidents in hydroelectric power plants. The recommendations may equally be considered as benchmark for the Safety and Health Management System with international standards.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.37-52
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• 2017

Objective: The present study developed a user-centered 3D virtual liver surgery planning (VLSP) system called Dr. Liver to provide preoperative information for safe and rational surgery. Background: Preoperative 3D VLSP is needed for patients' safety in liver surgery. Existing systems either do not provide functions specialized for liver surgery planning or do not provide functions for cross-check of the accuracy of analysis results. Method: Use scenarios of Dr. Liver were developed through literature review, benchmarking, and interviews with surgeons. User interfaces of Dr. Liver with various user-friendly features (e.g., context-sensitive hotkey menu and 3D view navigation box) was designed. Novel image processing algorithms (e.g., hybrid semi-automatic algorithm for liver extraction and customized region growing algorithm for vessel extraction) were developed for accurate and efficient liver surgery planning. Usability problems of a preliminary version of Dr. Liver were identified by surgeons and system developers and then design changes were made to resolve the identified usability problems. Results: A usability testing showed that the revised version of Dr. Liver achieved a high level of satisfaction ($6.1{\pm}0.8$ out of 7) and an acceptable time efficiency ($26.7{\pm}0.9 min$) in liver surgery planning. Conclusion: Involvement of usability testing in system development process from the beginning is useful to identify potential usability problems to improve for shortening system development period and cost. Application: The development and evaluation process of Dr. Liver in this study can be referred in designing a user-centered system.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.109-124
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• 2009

Background: This study aimed to examine whether cases of punishing false claimants threat general physicians to check their medical cost claims with care to avoid being suspected, and identify empirically general deterrence effects of the on-site investigation system in the Korean National Health Insurance. Methods: 800 clinics were selected among a total of 15,443 clinics that had no experience of on-site investigation until June 2007 using a stratified proportional systematic sampling method. We conducted logistic multiple regression to examine the association between factors related to provider's perception of on-site investigation and high level of perceived deterrence referring to fear of punishment after adjusting provider's service experiences and general characteristics. Results: The probability of high perceived deterrence was higher 1.7 times (CI: 1.13-2.56), 2.73 times (CI: 1.68-4.45) each among clinics exchanging the information once or more per year or once or more for 2-3 months than among clinics no exchanging the information about on-site investigation. Also, the probability of high perceived deterrence was higher 2.27 times (CI: 1.28-4.45) among clinics that knows more than 3 health care institutions having experienced an on-site investigation than among clinics knowing no case. Conclusion: A clinic knowing more punishment cases by onsite investigation and exchanging more frequently information about on-site investigation is likely to present high perceived deterrence. This result will provide important information to enlarge preventive effects of on-site investigation on fraud and abuse claims.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.102-106
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• 2013

Background: When using the anterior approach for performing superficial parotidectomy, the first thing to do is to find the buccal branch of the facial nerve and the parotid duct. The buccal branch usually runs transversely with the parotid duct from the anterior border of the parotid gland. We wanted to check the relationship between the two structures during the operation and to get clinically helpful information. Methods: Twelve patients with parotid mass were treated with superficial parotidectomy between May 2012 and August 2012. The outline of superficial and deep lobes of the parotid gland, parotid duct, and the buccal branch of the facial nerve were drawn on the transparent film by tracing the structures intraoperatively. Results: In 7 (58.3%) of 12 cases, the buccal branch of the facial nerve was located more caudally than the parotid duct at the anterior border of the superficial lobe of the parotid gland. In 3 cases (25%), the buccal branch was located more cephalically than the parotid duct. The mean distance between two structures were $2.54{\pm}1.48$ mm. In 11 cases, the parotid duct was located deeper than the buccal branch. Conclusion: The buccal branch of the facial nerve tends to be located more caudally than parotid duct and runs more superficially than parotid duct in all cases. We identified the relationship between the parotid duct and the buccal branch of the facial nerve during the operations on living subjects, not from the cadavers, so it would be a clinically helpful study which supplied more accurate anatomical information.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.144-152
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study is to describe the morphological characteristics of the Aphanizomenon spp. and related species from the natural samples collected in the Nakdong River of South Korea. Results: Morphological characteristics in the four species classified into the genera Aphanizomenon Morren ex Bornet et Flahault 1888 and Cuspidothrix Rajaniemi et al. 2005 were observed by light microscopy. The following four taxa were identified: Aphanizomenon flos-aquae Ralfs ex Bornet et Flahault, Aphanizomenon klebahnii Elenkin ex Pechar, Aphanizomenon skujae $Kom{\acute{a}}rkov{\acute{a}}-Legnerov{\acute{a}}$ et Cronberg, and Cuspidothrix issatschenkoi ($Usa{\check{c}}ev$) Rajaniemi et al. Aph. flos-aquae and Aph. klebahnii always formed in fascicles; the others only occurred in solitary. Aph. flos-aquae was similar to Aph. klebahnii, whereas these species differed from each other by the size and shape of fascicles, which was macroscopic in Aph. flos-aquae and microscopic in the Aph. klebahnii. One of their characteristics was that trichomes are easily disintegrating during microscopic examination. C. issatschenkoi could be clearly distinguished from other species by hair-shaped terminal cell. Its terminal cell was almost hyaline and markedly pointed. Young populations of the species without heterocytes run a risk of a misidentification. Aph. skujae was characterized by akinete. Morphological variability of akinetes from natural samples collected in the Nakdong River was rather smaller than those reported by previous study. Conclusions: C. issatschenkoi are described for the first time in the Nakdong River. In addition, Aph. klebahnii and Aph. skujae are new to South Korea.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.165-171
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• 2012

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the oral health conditions of Autism Spectrum Disease (ASD) and cerebral palsy(CP) patients visiting the Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital from January 2003 to december 2010. Methods: This study analyzed the data (patient's chart and radiograph) of fifty-eight ASD patients and fifty-seven CP patients. The oral health conditions of patients were surveyed by DMFT (dmft) and periodontal condition at the first visit. The performed dental procedure, behavior management methods and follow-up check were analyzed. Results: The average age of patients having ASD and CP was 12 year 2 month (ASD; 11 year 9 month and CP; 12 year 4 month). Within the limit of this study, the rate of dental caries was higher in CP patients than autism patients. Both of diseases showed the periodontal problem. Autistic patients showed more difficult management problems according to the rate of general anesthesia experiences. Conclusions: This article would contribute for dental practitioners to provide appropriate and specialized treatment to ASD patients and CP patients.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.398-406
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• 2012

Objectives: In order to investigate the relation between environmental pollution and its effect on human health in large-scale industrial complex regions, monitoring studies have been conducted since 2003. The main purpose of this Gangneung study is to produce background data which can be compared with several large-scale industrial complex regions such as Ulsan, Sihwa, Banwol, Gwangyang, Yeosu, Pohang and Cheongju Daesan industrial complexes. Methods: In this Gangneung study, 1,007 local residents were recruited and the framework of this study was designed to evaluate and monitor health effects associated with low-level but long-term exposure to environmental pollutants. A survey was performed based on personal questionnaires, medical check-ups, and allergy skin prick tests for twelve common allergens. The authors reviewed the prevalence rate of skin allergens in Gangneung compared with in large-scale industrial areas. The results are summarized as follows. Results: The diagnosis prevalence and medical treatment prevalence of asthma were lower than in industrial complex regions, but allergic rhinitis was higher. The allergy skin test prevalence was 26.0% and the most common allergens were dust mites (D. pteronysinus 16.7% and D. farinae 16.3%). Conclusions: The positive findings of the skin prick test were similar with large-scale industrial complex regions in Korea. Further study is required to find the cause of the regional differences in skin prick prevalence.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.197-207
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• 2020

The current comparison methods with scoring systems that are used to compare visualized latent fingerprints (LF) have disadvantages. Evaluators using these methods are prone to make errors and fail to discriminate LFs correctly to notice the differences among those LFs. Therefore, a comparative and quantitative evaluation method that is capable of obtaining more objective and quantitative results is needed. Densitometric image analysis (DIA) is used in other fields as a reliable semi-quantitative comparison method. To apply DIA to LFs, the potential variables that can occur during the DIA process were tested. The visualized ridges of LFs can be compared using the concentration of dots against the background to make it possible to analyze the ridges with DIA. The variables that can be present during the DIA process include the thickness of the analysis line, the number of ridges to be taken, the number of divided zones within each of the fingerprints, and the angles of the analysis line against the ridge lines that were selected. From the analysis of the inked fingerprints and circular lines that are similar to fingerprints, the angle of the analysis lines with the ridge line was the most significant variable. The preliminary test result was applied to the comparison of LFs that were developed with the powder method and then compared with the AFIS analysis. A similar trend was found, and a more detailed and semi-quantitative comparison of the visualized LFs was possible. In the future, it is necessary to check the evaluative ability of the DIA method by analyzing the visualized LFs with other various development methods. However, DIA is currently an option that can be used as an objective comparative evaluation method during fingerprint studies with supplementary role.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.174-181
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• 2009

Recently hospitals are implementing a One Stop Service as part of patient-care service. With the One Stop Service, medical treatment including consultation, inspection, and results are changing to be made available in one visit. Therefore most examinations are reserved for the same day; however, there are cases in which additional visits are necessary because of certain properties related to exams. This study compares and analyzes the number of reinspections before and after reforms. By designating the order of priority for BMD examinations and implementing education from information obtained in the OCS E-manual update, the number of reinspections for wards was reduced from 58 to 21, Outpatient departments were reduced from 51 to 12, and errors in reservations made by employees in the department of radiology were reduced from 98 to 11. Reinspections can be reduced with full understanding the factors related to reinspection and a background check prior to inspection in order to determine the order of priority for inspections. This will also reduce workers' stress and increase their efficiency and at the same time decease patient dissatisfaction and improve hospital reliability.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.6 no.1_2
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• pp.150-160
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• 1999

Background : Because hospitals had to faced with financial hardship, we have to have more effective hospital management. In this study, we tried to improve job performance and to reduce cost maintaining safety in fields of patients care. Methods : Central Supply Room(CSR) staffs taught strategy of material cost reduction to middle level managers and staffs 14 times. All staffs and voluntary service workers, working in 33 nursing units, participated in this activity. We developed questionnaire to check the degree of participate in cost reduction activity and job performance in CSR, and quality improvement in the wards. Two hundred questionnaires were distributed and 197 returned. Results : Because CSR staffs developed new items and every item was managed at each department, stocks of each department were reduced. Overall, by comparing before and after cost reduction activity, almost 1.2 billion won reduced for one year. Staffs' loyalty and spirits of cost reduction were improved by changing clothes and duty environment. Furthermore, these activity improved patients' satisfaction. Conclusion : We suggest that CSR activity in a university hospital contributes to improve job performance and to reduce cost without any problem in patient care.