• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was done to assess development and postnatal care interventions in postnatal care intervention records for maternity ward nurses in tertiary hospitals and women's hospitals in South Korea. Methods: This mixed-method research was a Time-Motion (TM) study. Data were collected through external observation of 12 nurses in 4 wards over 24 hours. Mann-Whitney U test and independent t-test were employed for the analysis of frequency and provision time of direct/indirect care activity. $x^2$ (Fisher's exact test) was utilized to determine the difference in frequency between two groups. IBM SPSS 22.0 statistical program was employed for calculation. All statistical significance levels were at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results: According to the KPCS-1 (Korean Patient Classification System-1), women's hospitals are group 3 and tertiary hospitals, group 4. With respect to time difference in direct care, tertiary hospitals showed 791 minutes and women's hospitals, 399 a difference of 392 minutes. For time difference in indirect care, women's hospitals had 2,415 minutes while tertiary hospitals, 2,080, a difference of 335 minutes for women's hospitals. No difference was found in the average total care workload between the two institutions. Individual time also showed no difference (p>.05). Conclusion: High-risk maternal care strength in tertiary hospitals and breast-feeding strength in women's hospitals need to be benchmarked with each other.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the performance and need of professional nursing care among nurses in a neurosurgery department at a tertiary hospital. Methods: This study used a descriptive design using a questionnaire with 77-item. The participants were 58 nurses with more than 3 years of clinical experience in both the neurosurgery intensive care unit and ward at a tertiary hospital in Gangwon province. Data collection was conducted from January to February of 2021. The performance and need for each workforce were analyzed with the mean and standard deviation, and the effectiveness of the difference between the performance and the need were analyzed with a paired t-test using SAS 9.4. Results: The recognition for work performance level was in order of direct nursing activities (3.20±.54), consultation and coordination (3.18±1.15), education (2.55±.85), administration (1.92±.86), and research (1.57±.89). The recognition for need level was in order of consultation and coordination (3.95±.83), education (3.91±.87), direct nursing practice (3.83±.55), research (3.49±.87), and administration (3.45±.54). The results showed a statistically significant differences between work performance and need (p<.001). Conclusion: It is required to hire professional nursing personnel who can bridge the gap between the performance and need of professional nursing workforce in a neurosurgery department at a tertiary hospital. A professional nurse may be a good alternative.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2023

Background: Along with the increase in the elderly population, concerns about polypharmacy, which can cause medication-related problems, are increasing. This study aimed to find out the association between drug-related factors and readmission in elderly patients within 30 days after discharge. Methods: Data of patients aged ≥65 years who were discharged from the respiratory medicine ward of a tertiary hospital between January and March 2016 were retrospectively obtained. The medication regimen complexity at discharge was calculated using the medication regimen complexity index (MRCI) score, comorbidity status was assessed using the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) were evaluated based on the Beer 2019 criteria, and adverse drug events (ADEs) were examined using the ADE reporting system. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of medication-related problems on hospital readmission after controlling for other variables. Results: Of the 206 patients included, 84 (40.8%) used PIMs, 31 (15%) had ADEs, and 32 (15.5%) were readmitted. The mean age, total medications, MRCI, CCI, and PIMs in the readmission group were significantly higher than those in the non-readmission group. Age significantly decreased the risk of readmission (odds ratio [OR], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-0.96) after adjusting for sex, length of hospital stay, and ADEs. The use of PIMs (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.10-5.16) and increased CCI (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.16-1.93) and MRCI (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07) were associated with an increased occurrence of readmission. Conclusion: PIMs were associated with a significantly greater risk for readmission than MRCI.

• Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.51-55
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• 2019

Objectives: Late-onset schizophrenia (LOS, age at first onset ≥40 years) is characterized by including predominance of women, better premorbid social adjustment and lower severity of positive/negative symptoms. However, few studies have been conducted on LOS, especially in Asian countries. This study aimed to examine the clinical features of LOS in comparison with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS). Methods: By retrospectively reviewing medical records, we assessed demographic data and clinical features of 76 LOS (20 males) and 357 EOS (144 males) who admitted to the psychiatric ward of a general hospital. Results: The mean ages of onset were 47.3±5.1 (LOS) and 25.7±6.5 (EOS) years. There were significantly more women in LOS (73.7%) than EOS (59.6%). Significantly more LOS patients had a marital (88.2% vs. 25.8%) and employment history (28.9% vs. 13.1%) than EOS. Patients with LOS had fewer negative (14.3±9.0 vs. 19.9±9.3), general psychopathology score (36.9±11.1 vs. 42.3±13.9) than EOS patients. Conclusion: In line with previous studies, this study demonstrated that LOS patients have better premorbid social adjustment. Our finding also replicates previous findings that LOS patients differ from EOS in predominance of women and relative lack of negative symptoms. These results suggest that LOS may be a distinct subtype of schizophrenia.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.3-16
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for hospitalized children under the condition of painful procedure. Method: The data were collected from July 15th to Oct 30, 2003 from 68 hospitalized children suffer from acute disease, 68 mothers take care of children, 14 pediatric ward nurses. To evaluate the degree of pain perception of children, mothers & nurses, face pain rating scale and behavior characteristic were used. Result: The result were as follows. 1) The pain perception score of children, mothers & nurses. child perceived highest as the score of 3.60 2) The most frequent behavioral characteristic children were 'crying(47.1%)' mothers were 'soothing the child(54.4%)' and nurses were 'support not to move(52.9%)' 3) The degree of pain perception of children, mothers and nurses according to subjects' general characteristics and painful procedure, there were stastical difference according to children's age, mothers age and duration of painful procedure 4) There were significant correlation between the degree of pain perception and behavioral characteristics of children, mothers & nurses. Conclusion: Nurses should not underestimate children's pain and need to provide knowledge and information to the child and their parents regarding painful procedure.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.360-373
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• 2023

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common subtype of thyroid carcinoma. Despite a good prognosis, approximately a quarter of PTC patients are likely to relapse. Previous reports suggest an association between S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2) and the prognosis of thyroid cancer. SKP1 is related to apoptosis of PTC cells; however, its role in PTC remains largely elusive. This study aimed to understand the expression and molecular mechanism of SKP2 in PTC. SKP2 expression was upregulated in PTC tissues and closely associated with clinical diagnosis. In vitro and in vivo knockdown of SKP2 expression in PTC cells suppressed cell growth and proliferation and induced apoptosis. SKP2 depletion promoted cell autophagy under glucose deprivation. SKP2 interacted with PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase-1 (PHLPP1), triggering its degradation by ubiquitination. Furthermore, SKP2 activates the AKT-related pathways via PHLPP1, which leads to the cytoplasmic translocation of SKP2, indicating a reciprocal regulation between SKP2 and AKT. In conclusion, the upregulation of SKP2 leads to PTC proliferation and survival, and the regulatory network among SKP2, PHLPP1, and AKT provides novel insight into the molecular basis of SKP2 in tumor progression.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.116-133
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• 2002

Background : It is very common in Korea to take care of non-acute patients in an acute setting, due to the lack of long-term facilities. Long term hospitalization increase medical expenses and decreases the bed utilization, which can affect the urgent and emergent admissions, and eventually jeopardize the hospital financially. In this study, strategies for effective transfers to the lower levels of care, and to decrease the length of stay were presented by surveying and analyzing the patient's knowledge of the transfer needs, and the willingness to transfer those whose hospital length of stay was more than 30days. Method : The survey is subject to a group of 251 patients who have been hospitalized over 30 days in a general hospital in Seoul. Excluding those that were in the Intensive Care Unit and psychiatric ward, 214 in-patients were used as participants. They were surveyed from April 9, 2002 to April 17, 2002. One hundred and thirty seven out of 214 were responded which made the response rate 64%. Data were analyzed by SAS and SPSS. Result : Multi-variable Logistic Regression Analysis showed a significant effect in medical expenses, knowledge of referral system and the information of the receiving hospital. The financial burden in medical expenses made the patient 10.7 times more willing to be transferred, knowledge of the referral system made them 5 times more willing to be transferred, and the information of receiving hospital makes 6.5 times more willing to be transferred. Reasons for willing to be transferred to a lower level of care were the phase of physical therapy, the distance from home, the attending physician's advice and being unable to be treated as an out patient. Reasons for refusing to be transferred were the following. The attending physician's competency, not being ready to be discharged, not trusting the receiving hospital's competency due to the lack of information, or never hearing about the referring system by the attending physician. Conclusion : Based on this, strategies for the effective transfer to the lower levels of care were suggested. It is desirable for the attending physician to be actively involved by making an effort to explain the transfer need, and referring to the Healthcare Coordinating Center, which can help the patient make the right decision. Nationwide networking for the referral system is the another key factor that may need to be suggested as an alternative to decrease the medical expenses. Collaborating with the Home Health Agency for the early discharge planning and the Social Service Department for financial aid are also needed. It is recommended that the hospital should expedite the transfer process by prioritizing the cost and the information as medical expenses, knowledge of referring system and the information of the receiving hospital, are the most important factors to the willingness to transfer to a lower level of care.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.198-206
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• 2020

Purpose: The rapid response team is a patient safety system that detects symptoms and signs of deteriorating inpatients and provides intervention and treatment. This study analyzed the factors influencing the activation time of the team. Methods: This is a descriptive correlation study that analyzed the electronic medical records of patients activated by the rapid response team. The collection period was from January 2014 to December 2017. We analyzed 278 pieces of data activated by the rapid response team for patients aged 16 years or older at C University S Hospital in Seoul. We employed the SPSS 23.0 program for data analysis. Results: The reasons for activation of the rapid response team were oxygen saturation of less than 90.0%, other causes, and change in consciousness. The most common diagnosis of activated patients was respiratory failure (32.4%). The average activation time was 153.43±286.05 min. The activation time was shortest during convulsions (13.29±7.32 min). For patients with a history of kidney disease (B=0.58, p=.008), in case of surgery (B=0.55, p<.001), if the first symptom is mediated by the physician (B=0.53, p=.007) the active time is often extended. On the other hand, activation time is reduced when consciousness changes (B=-0.51, p=.002), especially when oxygen saturation is below 90.0% (B=-0.64, p<.001). Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, it is expected that patients deteriorating in the general ward would be recognized early, which will help in the effective activation of the rapid response team.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2011

Purpose: Recently, social interest in an organized trauma system for the treatment of patients has been increasing in government and academia and the establishment of trauma center is being considered across the country. However, establishing such a system has not been easy in Korea, because enormous experiences and resources are necessary. The objectives of this study were (1) to estimate a trauma patient's demands during the course of treatment and (2) to provide appropriate direction for trauma centers to be established in Korea. Methods: The records of 207 patients who were admitted to the Department of Trauma Surgery in Ajou University Medical Center due to trauma were retrospectively reviewed for a 1 year period from March 2010 to February 2011. Patients were reviewed for general characteristics, number of hospital days, numbers and kinds of surgeries, numbers and kinds of consultations, ISS (Injury Severity Score) and number of patients with ISS more than 15. Results: All 207 patients were enrolled. The average number of hospital days was 36.7 days. The ICU stay was 15.9 days, and the general ward stay was 20.8 days. Admitted patients occupied 9.02 beds in ICU and 11.80 beds in the general ward per day. The average number of surgeries per patient was 1.4, and surgery at the Department of Trauma Surgery was most common. Number of consultations per patient was 14.23, and consultations with orthopedic surgeons were most common. The average ISS was 18.6. The number of patients with ISS more than 15 was 141 (61.8%) and the average number of patients treated per trauma surgeon as a major trauma patient was 94.3. The number of mortalities was 20, and the mortality rate was 9.7%. Conclusion: To reduce mortality and to provide proper treatment of patients with major trauma, hospitals need some number of beds, especially in the ICU, to treat patients and to prepare them for emergent surgery. An appropriate number of trauma surgeons and various specialists for consultation are also needed.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.299-312
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• 2016

The Daehan Uiwon (Historic Site No. 248) in which the predecessor of Seoul National University Hospital is a crucial medical institution that built in the Korean Empire period. One of them, East 1 Affiliated Ward that attached to Daehan Uiwon was built with concrete foundation in 1908 and extended two times in 1935 and 1954. As a result of material scientific analysis for concrete foundation, all of the foundation is composed of mortar and stone aggregates, however, the mixing proportions between the aggregate and the mortar were confirmed to be different with construction periods. To determine the mixing proportion, and physical properties by ultrasonic velocity and rebound hardness, the concrete foundations by construction period were obtained. In result, 1954's mixing proportion of concrete between mortar and stone aggregate indicated the highest ratio of aggregates with 1 : 35, mean value of ultrasonic velocity and unconfined compressive strength were calculated with 450 m/s and 18.92 MPa in 1954's constructions that is the lowest values compared with other times. As a result, the difference characteristics of physical properties by construction periods are possible interpreted with porosities and mixing ratios of stone aggregates.