• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.53-64
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• 2007

Purpose: Ths study aims to examine characteristics of patients using emergency room after execution of five-day workweek system by government and provide basic materials for operation of efficient emergency room. Methods: Data were collected tbrough medical records of patients visiting emergency room from July of 2004 to October of 2006 and they were analyzed with SPSSlPC 10.0. Conclusion : 1. The number of patients visiting emergency room was average 16.7 persons a day in 2004, 17.5 in 2005 and 18.6 in 2006 and it was found that it was increasing every year since the execution of five-day workweek system 2. Gender distribution of subjects using emergency room was higher in male than in female every year. 3. Means of transport to emergency room were mostly private car and others(public transport or on foot), but use of ambulance was increasing. 4. Residential areas of subjects were mostly 'Myeon area' in 2004~2005, but it was changed to residents at 'Eup area' in 2006. 5. Distribution of patients by medical departments was highest in internal medicine and surgery in 2004~2006 and rate of visiting pediatrics was increasing every year. 6. Time to stay at emergency room was most at 'below 30 min'. in 2004~2006, but cases of stay for 'more than 2 hours' were increasing every year. 7. On presence or absence of trauma in patients visiting emergency room, rate of visit to emergency room with 'no trauma' was higher and this result was increasing every year. 8. As a result of classifying severity of patients visiting emergency room, use rate of emergency room by 'non-emergency' patients was over 90% in 2004~2006 and such a phenomenon was deepened in 2006 compared to that in 2004. 9. Measures after emergency care of patients were most in case of 'discharge' in 2004~2006, but cases of admission to hospital after emergency care were increased every year. 10. According to use of emergency room by a day of the week, use on Sunday was most frequent in 2004~2006, but use on Friday the day before holiday was increasing. 11. According to distribution by age, use by those between '40~49' was most in 2004~2005, but use by those 'below 10' was most in 2006. 12. According to time to visit emergency room, using emergency room at "15:31~23:30 was most in 2004~2006, cases of visiting emergency room at day working hour were decreased every year and those at evening and night working hours were increased. Conclusion: In sum, it was found that characteristics of patients visiting emergency room and their actual status were changed after the execution of five-day workweek system and efforts to rearrange emergency medical system are required.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.350-362
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• 2018

Objectives: By analyzing the characteristics and the distribution of diseases of patients who visited the emergency room of a Korean medical hospital, we sought to determine the methods of activating the Korean emergency medical system and to use this analysis as a basis for future research. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 959 patients who visited the emergency department of the Dong-Eui University Korean Medical Hospital from January 2016 to December 2016. The review was conducted using electronic medical records created during the emergency department visit. Results & Conclusions: In distribution of sex, the rate of males was 47.9%, and that of females was 52.1%. In distribution of age, the greatest number of patients were in their 50s (27.5%), followed by those in their 60s (19.9%) and 40s (14.8%). In distribution of residence, most patients were from Busan (84.9%). In distribution of week, more patients visited the emergency room on Sundays and holidays (44.3%). September was the busiest month (12.5%). Visits usually occurred during daytime and nighttime, and there were few visits at dawn. In the analysis of the time interval between onset of symptoms and the emergency room visit, most patients visited within 24 hours (46.5%). In the distribution of diseases, facial palsy was the most common (34.6%). In the systematic distribution of diseases, circulatory diseases were the most common (56.7%), followed by diseases of the musculoskeletal system (28.6%). The rate of first emergency room visit was 52.9%, and the rate of revisit was 47.1%. The rate of hospitalization after emergency room treatment was 27.5%, and the rate of discharge was 72.4%. The rate of revisit was 63.4%. In the distribution of treatment before arrival at the emergency room, direct was the most common (51.0%), and the outpatient department of western medicine was next. In the distribution of treatment in the emergency room, acupuncture was the highest (91.4%), followed by herb-med (43.0%).

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.595-606
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• 2021

This study was to understand the relationship between emergency room visit due to illness and personal health behaviors as well as population and illness characteristics of elderly patients with diabetes. This study was a descriptive correlation study that analyzed 956 respondents aged 65 or older and diagnosed with diabetes in the Korean Health Panel's data from 2014 to 2017. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 26.0 program with Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis. The respondents who visited emergency room had fewer days of moderate-intensity physical activity and walking activity, were older, had activity restrictions due to disability, had depression, and had a large number of comorbid chronic diseases. In order to prevent elderly people with diabetes from visiting emergency room, it is important to encourage moderate-intensity activity and walking.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.95-105
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review the characteristics of patients who visited the emergency room of a Korean medical hospital with musculoskeletal disorders during the last 5 years and to provide a potential basis for future studies and emergency medical practice. Methods : Patient visit records between May 1st, 2010 and February 28th, 2015 were reviewed and patients with musculoskeletal disorders were included in a retrospective analysis. Results : A total of 5,218 patient visit records were initially reviewed and 1,485 patients (28.46 %) were included in the analysis. S code group was the most frequently diagnosed coding group of Korean Standard Classification of Diseases. The male to female ratio was 1.05:1 and patients in their thirties represented the highest age group. When classified by time of visit, the distribution of patients was similar from 10:00 to 22:59. The most frequently visited day and month were Sunday and September. 879 patients (59.19 %) visited the emergency room within 24 hours from onset of symptoms. The most common symptom site was the low back (45.59 %), followed by ankle (13.94 %) and neck (13.80 %). The most frequently used treatment method was acupuncture (92.32 %), followed by infrared (45.45 %), TENS (30.03 %) and herbal medication (29.02 %). The follow-up and admission rates were 30.24 % and 13.00 % respectively. 343 patients (23.10 %) received Western medical treatment within a day before visiting the emergency room of the Korean medical hospital. Conclusions : This analysis provides the latest information on the characteristics of patients who visited the emergency room of a Korean medical hospital with musculoskeletal disorders. The results can provide the basis for further studies and for other attempts to improve the clinical setting of the emergency room.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2006

Purpose: This study aims to examine characteristics and actual conditions of patients using emergency room at farming and fishing villages, solve overcrowding of emergency room at the tertiary hospital and activate local emergency clinics. Methods: It examines department of diagnosis and treatment, vehicles used, sex, age, residential area, visit hour, length of stay, presence or absence of trauma, measures after first aid and degree of severity based on medical records of 6,740 patients using emergency room at farming and fishing villages from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2005. Conclusion : 1. Sex distribution of patients of emergency room was male 54.9% and female 45.1% and age distribution between over 40 and below 50 was most as 15.9%. 2. Transport means to emergency room were 91.4 of private car and others (public transport and going on foot), 7.5 of 119, 129 and police car and 1.0% of ambulance. 3. According to distribution of residential areas of emergency patients, 38.9% were Eup area, 42.1% Myeon area, 11.4% distant area and 7.5% adjacent area. 4. According to distribution of emergency patients by department of diagnosis and treatment, internal medicine was most as 35.8% and 55% of patients visited emergency room from 3:31 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.. 5. According to total hours of diagnosis and treatment of subjects, 51.2% were within 30min. and cases of non-trauma disease were 68.2%. 6. According to degree of emergency of emergency patients, non-emergency cases were 65.3%, urgent cases 27.7% and emergency cases 7.0% and 74.2% of patients returned home after first aid and 20.6% of them hospitalized. In conclusion, characteristics and diversification of patients should be examined and efforts by government and local medical institutions which must organize emergency system and facility and personnel levels suitable to regional conditions are needed in order to prevent overcrowding of emergency center of the tertiary hospital and activate local emergency center.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.30-44
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• 2014

Objectives By analyzing data of the pediatric patients who had visited the emergency room of the oriental medical hospital, we can understand their characteristics and diseases. The purpose of this study was to introduce the excellence of the Oriental medicine, to develop various treatments, and to revitalize pediatric emergency care at the oriental medical hospital. Methods The study was composed of 334 pediatric patients who had visited the emergency room of the ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ university oriental hospital from January 2011 to December 2013. Results 1. It has showed that between 7 to 12 years old patients (27.8%) were the most common age populations. 2. The number of pediatric patients was increased during February. According to the weekly distribution data, the number of pediatric patients who had visited on Sunday was the highest (28.7%). Also, the number of pediatric patients who had visited the ER between 21 to 24 hours (29.0%) was the highest. 3. The two major reasons for inpatient hospitalization were digestive and nerve-related symptoms. Nerve-related symptoms were the most common in infants while digestive symptoms were the most common in other child development stages. 4. The duration of time interval from the onset of symptoms to the ER visit was most commonly within 6 hours (50.3%). An acupuncture and herbal medication treatment (70.1%) were the most common medical treatments. The majority of the pediatric patients (95.5%) were discharged after their medical treatments. Conclusions A serious acute illness was not the most common reason for the ER visit among the pediatric patients. The most common disease states that have preferred to be treated with the oriental medicine were dyspepsia, crying, facial palsy, and ankle sprain. We have to introduce the excellence of the oriental medicine. We also need to try developing other treatments such as magnetic acupuncture, aromatherapy, and revitalizing pediatric emergency care at the oriental medical hospital.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting the use of superior general hospitals on public holidays by using the medical use model (Dutton's medical use model) with the medical panel data. The study found that 34.2% of superior general hospital emergency rooms were used on public holidays and the factors which made statistically significant influences on the use of superior general hospital emergency rooms on public holidays were whether patients were operated or emergency care and inspection etc. Also, there was a difference depending on whether the type of establishment of the medical insititution is national or private. In other words, patients who received emergency care and examinations were found to make more frequent visit to hospital emergency room on pubic holiday, compared to patients who underwent surgery and those who visited emergency rooms in the private superior general hospital did so, compared to those who visited emergency room in the national general hospital(OR, 4.4, 3.386, respectively). Therefore, it is necessary to consider the introduction of integrated care of health and social care medical service that focuses on primary care in Denmark, which focuses on patients, and pre-The Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale(pre-CTAS) in the UK.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.253-261
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• 2001

Objectives : To evaluate the hypothesis that air pollution could increase emergency room visits for respiratory diseases, and if so, to quantify the strength of association between those. Methods : We compiled daily records of hospital emergency room visits for respiratory diseases in Seoul, from November 1. 1955 to October 31. 1996, by using medical utilization data of unscheduled visits. In addition, air quality and weather data for the same period was collected. And a case-crossover design was applied by adopting conditional logistic regression analysis to determine the relationship between air pollutants and emergency room visits for respiratory diseases. In particular, the control periods were chosen by a bidirectional paired matching technique 7, 14, and 21 days before and after the case periods. Results : Only ozone was associated with the increased number of emergency room visits for respiratory diseases. The relative risk according to a 30ppb increase of ozone concentration (24hr mean, lagged 1day) was 1.91(95% confidence interval = 1.78-2.05). Conclusion : There was a statistically significant association between the ambient ozone and daily emergency room visits for respiratory diseases.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.91-97
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• 2015

Purpose: Occult hip fracture is not evident on radiographs and the diagnosis is often missed or delayed. This study was undertaken in order to identify the clinical characteristics and complications of patients with a delayed diagnosis of an occult hip fracture. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with occult hip fracture who had normal findings on initial radiographs, the diagnosis was made on additional studies between August 2006 and February 2012. Patients who were diagnosed as having occult hip fractures at the first visit were categorized as non-delayed group and those who were not diagnosed at the first visit were categorized as delayed group. Results: Non-delayed group included 43 patients (86%). In the remaining 7 patients (delayed group), the diagnosis was delayed by a mean of 9.6 days (range 3~19 days). Patients who were diagnosed with an occult fracture on the initial visit presented later than those with a delayed diagnosis (41/43 .vs. 3/7, p=0.002). Other clinical features were no difference between the two groups. Patients in the delayed diagnosis group were more likely to have fracture displacement (4/7 .vs. 0/43)15patients in non-delayed group (34.9%) needed operative treatment, whereas all delayed patients (100%) needed operative treatment. Conclusion: A delayed diagnosis of occult hip fractures was associated with increased rate of displacement and operation. In patients suspected of having occult hip fractures, additional studies should be recommended.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.246-250
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• 2015

Objectives: This study investigated patients with oral and maxillofacial lacerations who visited the emergency room over a three-year period in an effort to determine the optimal treatment for these injuries. Materials and Methods: This study examined 1,742 patients with oral and maxillofacial lacerations with 2,014 different laceration locations who visited the emergency room of Pusan National University Hospital (Busan, Korea) over three years, from January 2011 to December 2013. Patients were classified by sex, age, visit day, cause of injury, injury site, and the presence or absence of soft tissue and tooth injuries. Results: The male to female ratio was 2.50:1. Patients under 10 years old were seen most frequently. Most emergency room visits were on weekends. Among intra-oral lacerations, the lip area was the most vulnerable site; among extra-oral lacerations, the chin area was most frequently injured. The most frequent etiology was a slip down. Most lacerations occurred without bone fracture or tooth damage. Conclusion: Laceration may differ in large part as compared with the fracture. Therefore, it is necessary to continue collecting data on oral and maxillofacial lacerations to establish optimal emergency room diagnosis and treatment strategies.