• Title/Summary/Keyword: Nursing cost

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Secondary Analysis on Pressure Injury in Intensive Care Units

  • Hyun, Sookyung
    • International journal of advanced smart convergence
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.145-150
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    • 2021
  • Patients with Pressure injuries (PIs) may have pain and discomfort, which results in poorer patient outcomes and additional cost for treatment. This study was a part of larger research project that aimed at prediction modeling using a big data. The purpose of this study were to describe the characteristics of patients with PI in critical care; and to explore comorbidity and diagnostic and interventive procedures that have been done for patients in critical care. This is a secondary data analysis. Data were retrieved from a large clinical database, MIMIC-III Clinical database. The number of unique patients with PI was 2,286 in total. Approximately 60% were male and 68.4% were White. Among the patients, 9.9% were dead. In term of discharge disposition, 56.2% (33.9% Home, 22.3% Home Health Care) where as 32.3% were transferred to another institutions. The rest of them were hospice (0.8%), left against medical advice (0.7%), and others (0.2%). The top three most frequently co-existing kinds of diseases were Hypertension, not otherwise specified (NOS), congestive heart failure NOS, and Acute kidney failure NOS. The number of patients with PI who have one or more procedures was 2,169 (94.9%). The number of unique procedures was 981. The top three most frequent procedures were 'Venous catheterization, not elsewhere classified,' and 'Enteral infusion of concentrated nutritional substances.' Patient with a greater number of comorbid conditions were likely to have longer length of ICU stay (r=.452, p<.001). In addition, patient with a greater number of procedures that were performed during the admission were strongly tend to stay longer in hospital (r=.729, p<.001). Therefore, prospective studies focusing on comorbidity; and diagnostic and preventive procedures are needed in the prediction modeling of pressure injury development in ICU patients.

A Study on the Development of a Infusion Pump based on an Active Muscle Pump (능동형 근육펌프 구조의 수액 주입 펌프 개발에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Jeong-Whan;Lee, Sang-Yeob;Lee, Jung-Eun;Ahn, Ihn-Seok
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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    • v.25 no.3
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    • pp.443-449
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    • 2022
  • In this study, in order to improve the disadvantages of the environmental error of the infusion set that performs infusion therapy in the existing clinical practice and to maximize the user's convenience by miniaturizing the existing infusion pump system, the structure of the muscle pump of the human vein was imitated. As a double check valve method, a method for preventing the backflow of fluid and discharging a constant fluid in one direction by external pressure was proposed. The proposed bio-mimic muscle pump uses a check valve that controls the flow of fluid in one direction and a silicone tube with elasticity, and a chamber is constructed. A peristaltic pump for applying intermittent pressure to the tube chamber was constructed using a multi-cam structure roller. In order to verify the performance of the proposed pump, optimization was performed while changing the number of multi-cam rollers and adjusting the speed of the roller driving motor, and the reproducibility of the instantaneous discharge amount and the continuous discharge amount of the pump was compared and tested. The performance of the muscle pump proposed in this study was verified through experiments that it can inject up to 1L of fluid within 12 hours, and that it is possible to inject the fluid with an accuracy of ±0.1ml. Real-time monitoring of the fluid injection volume through the bio-mimic muscle pump proposed in this study not only increases the convenience of the administrator, but also provides a precise fluid administration environment to more patients at a low cost, and additionally applies bubble detection and occlusion detection technology If so, it is believed that a safer medical environment can be provided to patients.

The Effect of Alternative Medicine on Quality-of-Life Outcomes for Dementia Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  • So Young, Lee;In Chul, Jung;Eun, Cho
    • Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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    • v.33 no.4
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    • pp.401-424
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    • 2022
  • Objectives: As effective treatments for dementia are lacking in Western medicine, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is considered a useful option. While the quality of life (QoL) is a vital outcome for patients with dementia, the QoL of patients receiving CAM for dementia remains ambiguous. This study aimed to determine the effect of CAM on QoL outcomes in dementia patients. Methods: A search was performed using the keywords "dementia," "Alzheimer's," "cognitive impairment," "Chinese," "Korean," "oriental," "herbal," "acupuncture," and "quality of life". All quantitative data were synthesized using R version 4.1.1. Results: Twenty-five randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 16 pre-post trials, and two cohort studies were selected for the systematic review. QoL in Alzheimer's disease (QOL-AD) (n=11, 25.6%) and geriatric QoL in dementia (GQOL-D, n=9, 20.9%) were the most utilized QoL instruments. Significant benefits in QoL were observed after receiving mind, body, combined mind and body, nursing, oriental medicine, and acupuncture therapies. In the meta-analysis, the combined effect was shown to significantly increase QOL-AD compared to before CAM interventions (standardized mean difference, SMD: 0.507; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.191~0.824; p<0.01). The overall synthesized estimates in the GQOL-D showed a significantly improved QoL (SMD: 0.537, 95% CI: 0.238~0.837 p<0.01; one group; SMD: 1.465, 95% CI: 0.934~1.996, p<0.01). The seven studies assessing the cost-effectiveness of CAM reported uncertain outcomes. Conclusions: This study showed that CAM interventions benefited patients with dementia by improving their QoL. While additional standardized research is required, CAMs are suggested as effective clinical management for patients with dementia. They are also suggested as complementing therapies for these patients.

A Study on the Nurses' Contingent Employment and Related Factors (간호사의 비정규직 고용실태 및 관련요인에 관한 연구)

  • Choi, Sook-Ja
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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    • v.5 no.3
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    • pp.477-500
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    • 1999
  • Korean labor market has showed remarkable change of the increase in the amount of unemployment and contingent employment since IMF bailout agreement. There is a theoretical position to explain this increase in contingent employment at hospitals with the notion of flexibility. The high flexibility of employment due to the increase of contingent employees is becoming very important part in new business strategy of hospitals. The types of contingent employment of the nurse are part-time employment temporary employment, fixed-term employment, and internship which was introduced in early 1999. Recently, Korean health care industry managers have paid attention to the customer oriented service, rationalization of business administration, service quality control so that they can adjust their business to outer environment. Especially their efforts concentrate on the wage reduction through efficient and scientific control of man power because wage shares about 40% of total cost. This dissertation aims at verifying the phenomena of the contingent employment of the nurse and analyzing the related factors and problems. To rephrase these aims in ordinal: First, verifying the phenomena of contingent employment of the nurse. Second, verifying the problems of that phenomena. Third, analyzing the related factors of the contingent employment of the nurse. To accomplish these research goals, a statistical survey was executed. in which 384 questionnaires-66 for manager nurses, 318 for contingent nurses - were given to nurses working at 66 hospitals-which have at least 100 beds-in Seoul. Among them, 187 questionnaires-38 from manager nurses, 149 from contingent nurses'- 'were returned. Then, the data coded and submitted to T-test, $X^2$ -test, variance analysis(ANOVA), correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, Logistic Regression with SAS program. The research results of the contingent nurses are followings: 1. The average career term at the present hospital 8.4 months: duty-on days per month are 24.2 days: working time per day is 7.9 hours. These results showed little difference from regular nurses. 2. Their wage level is about 70% of regular nurses except for internship nurses whose wage level is 41% of regular nurses. To break down the wage composition, part-time nurses and internship nurses get few allowance and bonus. And contingent nurses get very low level of additional pay except for fixed-term nurses who are under similar condition of employment to regular nurses. These results show that hospital managers are trying to reduce the labor cost not only through the direct way of wage reduction but through differential treatment of bonus, retirement allowance, and other additional pay. 3. The problem of contingent employment: low level of pay; high level of turn-over rate: weakening of union; low level of working condition: heavy burden of work; inhuman treatment. The contingent nurses consider these problems more seriously than manager nurses do. What manager nurses regard problematic is the absence of feeling-belonged and responsibility of the contingent nurses. 4. The factors strongly related with the rate of the number of contingent nurses for the number of regular nurses; gross turn-over nurses; average in-patients per day; staring wage of graduate from professional college: the type of hospital ownership; the number of beds; the gap between gross newcomer nurses and gross turn-over nurses. The factors related with their gross wage per month; the number of beds; applying of health insurance; applying of industrial casualty insurance; applying of yearly-paid leave; the type of hospital ownership; average out-patients per day; gross turn-over nurses. The meaningful factors which make difference by employment type: monthly-paid leave; physiological leave. The logistic regression analysis using these two factors shows that monthly-paid leave is related with the type of hospital ownership; the number of beds; average out-patient per day, and physiological leave is related with the gross newcomer nurses; gross turn-over nurses; the number of beds.

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The Characteristics and Medical Utilization of Migrant Workers (외국인 노동자의 특성과 의료이용 실태)

  • Ju, Sun Me
    • Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.164-176
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    • 1998
  • This study deals with the current medical utilization for migrant workers and the characteristics of them. The purpose of this study is to provide the basic information to establish proper medical policy. For the study self-made questionnaire was used, which was answered by 453 migrant workers working in the area of manufacturing and non-technical work in 10 cities like Seoul, Inchon, Namyangju, Sungnam, Kwangju, Pyungchon, Kunpo, Kimpo, Masuk in Kyungki-do and Chunan in Chungchungnam-do. Besides, 303 medical records of those who had visited free medical check-up center were analyzed. The period of accumulating data is 6 months, from November 1st, 1996 to April 30th, 1997. The characteristics of migrant workers and current medical utilization are analyzed by percentage and the relation between characteristics and current medical utilization were analyzed using ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA. The finding of this study was as follows : 1) The number of nationality was 16. The first majority was Philippians as 32.0%. Among 16 nationalities Southeastern and Northern Asians were 48.9%, Southwestern Asian was 46.5%, the rest was 7.3%. Men were 81.0%, those who are aged from 26 to 30 were 39.0%, Graduatee from high school 92.7%, Christians 56.3%, unmarried 55.4% and salary from 600,000 Won to 800,000 Won 53.8% averaging monthly payment 669,810 Won. As for their residence, those who resided over 3 years were 31.9% and the illegal residence reached 77.4%. As for Korean language, those who speak in middle level were 5.6%. 2) As for kind of work and circumstances, manufacturing was 81.1%, 4 off-days per month 72.2% and 9-10 working hours per day 42.1%. As for accommodation, residence in fabric was 62.6% and one or two members as roommate 40.2%. 3) The characteristics of health behavior showed that 89.4% of migrant workers had 3 meals, 70.9% of them did not drink alcohol, 73.5% of them did not smoke. 4) As a characteristic of health status, 71.8% of them perceived of their health. 76.1% thought that they had no illness before coming Korea. Among them who recognized their illness, those who had problem in circulatory system was 35.3%, respiratory system ENT 19.1% and nervous system 19.1%.66.2% of those having illness had already had sickness when coming to Korea. 5) During last one month, 79.2% of them were known as ones having no illness. Among the sick, those who had problem in circulatory system was 31.6%, nervous system 23.7% and respiratory system 21.1%. 60.3% of the sick were not cured at that time. 6) Sorting the symptom of those who visited free medical check up, dental care was 24.2%, orthopedic 14.0% and digestive system 13.8%. Teethache was 34.4%, stomach problem 11.6%, upper respiratory inflammation 10.2% and back pain 5.9%. Averagely they visited free medical check up 1-2 times. According to symptom, epilepsy 25.5 times, heart and vascular disease 9 times, constipation 2.8%, neurosis 2.38 times and stomach problem 2.34 times. 7) The most frequently visited medical service by migrant workers was hospital. The most mentioned reason was good healing as 36.3%. The medical service satisfied migrant workers mostly was hospital as 64.3%. The reason of satisfaction was also good healing as 45.9%. 8) 77.2% of respondents did not spend money for medical check. Average monthly medical cost was 25,100 Won, 3.7% of income. Those who had no medical security was 73.4%. In their case, 67.7% got discount from hospital or support from working place and religious organization. 9) As for the difference of medical utilization according for the characteristics of migrant workers, legal workers and no-Korean speaker used hospital more frequently. 10) Those who were satisfied most of all with the service of hospital were female workers, hinduists and buddhists, legal workers or manufacture workers. 11) Christians, those who have 3 meals or recognize themselves as healthy ones mostly had no illness. As a result, the most of migrant workers in Korea are from Asia. They are good educated but are working in manufacturing and illegal. Their average income is under 700,000 Won which in not enough for medical cost. They have no medical security and medical fee is supported by religious organization or discounted. Considering these facts the medical policy by government is to be established.

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A Study of the Effect, Safety and Saving Expense by Reusing Hemodialyzer (재사용(再使用) 투석기(透析器)의 효과(效果) ${\cdot}$ 안정성(安定性) 및 비용절감(費用節減)에 관한 연구(硏究))

  • Jung, Ha-Chung
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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    • v.3 no.1
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    • pp.93-106
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    • 1997
  • By the increase of the rate of existence of the hemodialyzing patients, they were required the long run treatment. Regardless of medical insurance expansion, hemodialyzing cost much expenses so that hospital has been considering the reuse of hemodialyzer and flowing euqipments along with the diverse study and progress of the ways of hemodialyzing and medical instruments. This study was aimed to provide the basic materials regarding the reuse of hemodialyzer which is used for the patients of chronic renal disease. The reusing program in the artificial kidney center of K hospital has been used for this study from 50 patients aften one year result from Sep. 1995 through Aug. 1996. Automatic equipment of DRS-4 made by Seratronic Co., was used as the equipment and it was retreated with the function test simultaneously. Compliaction and confirmation of the infection were by the records of the hemodialysis of the patients. SPSS was used for the analysis of the materials by computerization. The character of the patients and the rate of removal was by mistake and percentage, function test and rate of complication by Ftest(ANOVA) and the rate of complication per items by ${\chi}^2$ and Ftest. As the post test the Duncan's test was used for the statistically significant different variables in the standard of p<.05 after Ftest. The followings are the summary of the result : 1) In the function test of the new hemodialyzer and the reused one, and in all of CA110 and CF15.11, the dialyzer ultrafiltration coeffient(KUf) was appeared to have been higher in the reusing groups than the first use ones. This has been the normal limit showing no troubles with them. 2) In the function test of the new and reused hemodialyzer, in all of CA110 and CF15.11, the total blood volume was appeared to have been the less value in the reuse groups than the new ones. This was the price within 80% of the first price that both showed possible for use. 3) The result of reuse hemodialyzer of CA110 was $29.48{\pm}7.83$ in average in the test of leak test while $17.3{\pm}7.96$ in reuse of CF15.11. The normal limit of <60 was the leak test result. So both of the hemodialyzer was normal for reuse. 4) The rate of removal of Blood Urea Nitrogen(BUN) was 72.25% in CA110 hemodialyzer by reusing 16-20 times as the highest rate showing the better result in the reuse hemodialyzer, while in CF15.11 hemodialyzer showed 71.16% by highest rate in the first use by the highest rate with no difference from the reuse. 5) The rate of removal of serum creatinine of CA110 was 64.08% by highest rate in reuse of 1-5 times by showing better result in reuse hemodialyzer. While in CF15.11 66.47% the highest by reuse of 16-20 times showing no difference from each other. 6) No patients were admitted or precribed by antibiotics in relation with reuse dialyzer and no reports were shown about hepatitis $B{\cdot}C$. AIDS in fection. 7) Of the total 248 episods of complication due to the hemodialyzing, 86 by first use, 73 by 1-5 times, 35 by 6-10 times, 35 by 11-15 times and 19 by 16-20 times have been shown which have had no significant difference between the groups. 8) In the comparison of the expense for the hemodialyzer, there was the effect of saving 11,597.6 Won between the first and reuse hemodialyzer. And by decreasing the extracted materials, they did the great role of disposing the waste matters.

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The Effect of Elastic Band Exercise Training and Detraining on Body Composition and Fitness in the Elder (탄력밴드 운동이 노인의 신체조성과 체력에 미치는 지속적 효과)

  • So, Wi-Young;Song, Misoon;Cho, Be-Long;Park, Yeon-Hwan;Kim, Yeon-Soo;Lim, Jae-Young;Kim, Seon-Ho;Song, Wook
    • 한국노년학
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    • v.29 no.4
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    • pp.1247-1259
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    • 2009
  • Muscle mass is reduced by aging. There seems to be no direct relationship between sarcopenia(muscle loss) and medical cost in the elderly, but lowering muscle mass results in increase risk of fall and decrease of strength, fitness, physical activity, and independent life. This is coupled with physical trouble and chronic degenerative disease such as diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. Thus, sarcopenia is potential risk factor increasing mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of elastic band exercise and detraining on sarcopenia prevention related variables, body composition and fitness. The subject of this study was 60~70 aged 14 seniors who participated in exercise program in J-welfare senior center at J-gu in S-city. Elastic band exercise was performed twice per week for 12 weeks. The body composition and fitness variables were measured before 12 weeks of control, after control(before exercise), after 12 weeks of exercise(before detraining), and after 12 weeks of detraining. There was no significant difference in body composition and fitness variables before and after 12 weeks of control, but elastic band exercise before and after 12 weeks has effect on body composition variables such as weight (t=2.978, p=0.001), body mass index (t=3.502, p=0.004), percent body fat (t=2.216, p=0.045), muscle mass (t=-3.837, p=0.002), visceral fat area (t=5.186, p<0.001), and waist-hip ratio (t=3.045, p=0.009) and on fitness variables such as 2-minutes step (t=-6.891 p<0.001), arm curl (t=-4.702, p<0.001), chair stand (t=-4.860, p<0.001), chair sit and reach (t=-5.910, p<0.001), back scratch (t=-3.835, p=0.002), and 8-ft up and go (t=7.560, p<0.001). This exercise effect was continued after 12 weeks of detraining on body composition variables such as weight (t=2.323, p=0.037), body mass index (t=2.503, p=0.026), muscle mass (t=-3.137, p=0.008) and on fitness variables such as 2-minutes step (t=-6.489 p<0.001), chair stand (t=-4.694, p<0.001), chair sit and reach (t=-3.690, p=0.003), and 8-ft up and go (t=7.539, p<0.001). It was found that the elastic band exercise has positive effect on body composition and fitness in the elderly and the effect was maintained over 12 weeks of detraining.

Health Management and Services of School-Nurse in Special Schools (특수학교의 보건관리)

  • Lee, Kyung Hee;Park, Jae Yong
    • Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.176-192
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    • 1991
  • School nurses, in service of 102 special schools in Korea, were urveyed by mail questionnaires from February to March, 1991 and 77 of hem responded. Collected data were analyzed to establish the direction of health management in special school and to provide basic reference data for improving the quality of the management of school-nurses' services. The major findings are as follows: Out of special schools surveyed, 67.5% is private school and 83.2% is located in city. The average number of classes, students, and educational personnels per special school is 17.2, 194, and 28 respectively. The average age of school-nurses surveyed is 32.7. The proportion of graduates from the junior college and upward was 97.4%, the proportion of the married was 71.4%. Out of respondents, 71.4% has religion : 79.2% has past career in the fields of clinics or public health: 62.3% accompanishes independent services: 77.9% belongs to primary school. About 69% of nursing room in special schools surveyed is located at the first floor. Out of special school surveyed, 90.9% has no organization for school health programms: Only 18.2% entrusted everyone of school doctor, school dentist, and school pharmacists with school health. 46.8% of respondents didn't know about the annual budget for school health programmes. The average annual expenditure for school health programme per special school was 317,000F26. won and the purchase cost for medical supplies accounted for the larger part of them. The monthly average number of students utilizing school nursing room was 71 per school, annual utilization times of school nursing room was 4.4 per student and utilization due to injury was prevalent by 26.6% and there is some differences in using the school nursing room according to disabled area. Rate of referral to medical facilities was 1.4%. The leading reason of referral to medical facilities was high fever among those who have visual handicaps, fracture among those who have emotional disturbance, injury by trauma among others. Nine hundred fifty six students of students in special school surveyed have sufferd from epilepsy and prevalence rate of epilepsy was 6.4%. Only 22.6% of respondents replied that they had physical examination more than 2 times per year. Out of respnodents, 98.7% answered that they had health education and 67.1% of them ansered that they educated in a classroom, 98.7% of respondents emphasized need of sex education. Respondents put the most emphasis on the personal hygiene when they performed health education and they used broadcasting education in the area of visual handicaps, OHP or VTR in hearing handicaps, home correspondence or OHP VTR in other area importantly. About 47% of repondents answered that health education was the most difficult and they emphasized that definite guide on health management was requested. Respondents had self-confidence and high perfomance rate in most of school-nurses' services completely, but so they was not in area of evaluation of school health programmes, an examination of physical strength, evaluation of health education, management of school purification area, suture of wounds. In consideration of above findings, we may conclude that special education for school-nurse in special schools as well as improvement of definite guiding principles are requested to establish direction for health management in special schools and to improve the degree of quality for school-nurses' sevices in special schools.

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The Relationship between HbA1c Control and Diabetes Self-care Knowledge, Competence, Behavior and Quality of Life on Diabetes elderly (노인 당뇨환자에서 당뇨 자가관리 지식, 자신감, 행위 및 삶의 질과 당화혈색소 조절의 관련성)

  • Lee, Song-heun
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.18 no.11
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    • pp.357-366
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    • 2017
  • This study was conducted to identify the diabetes self-care (DSM) knowledge, DSM competence, DSM behavior, and quality of life according to HbA1c control in diabetic elderly. The participants were 205 diabetes elderly who visited the citizen health promotion center located in D city, Korea. Data were collected from April, 4 to August 31 2015, and were analyzed by the t-test and chi-squared test using IBM SPSS 23.0. The mean scores of DSM knowledge, DSM competence, DSM behavior and quality of life were $50.61{\pm}16.39$, $71.27{\pm}10.21$, $62.78{\pm}1.29$ and $0.86{\pm}0.11$, respectively. Additionally, DSM behavior (t=2.17, p=0.031), education level (t=11.80, p=0.0019) l, BMI (t=0.001, p=0.012), and number of visits to citizen health center (t=16.497, p=0.001) differed significantly between the controlled HbA1c group and uncontrolled HbA1C group. However, ANCOVA revealed that the level of HbA1c did not affect the DSM behaviors. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and apply a DSM education program that reflects the characteristics knowledge level of the elderly. In addition, healthcare institutions with high accessibility in terms of distance and cost to guide and manage desirable diabetic self-care behaviors should be provided everywhere.

Recent Advances in Amino Acid and Energy Nutrition of Prolific Sows - Review -

  • Boyd, R.D.;Touchette, K.J.;Castro, G.C.;Johnston, M.E.;Lee, K.U.;Han, In K.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.13 no.11
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    • pp.1638-1652
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    • 2000
  • Prolific females require better nutrition and feeding practice because of larger litter size and the substantial decline in body fat. Life-time pig output will be compromised if body protein and fat are not properly managed. First litter females are especially vulnerable because they can loose ${\geq}15%$ of whole-body protein. Conservation of body protein mass during first lactation minimizes wean to estrus interval and increases second litter size (up to 1.2 pigs). The ability to influence litter-size by amino acid nutrition is a new dimension in our understanding. A P2 fat depth below 12 mm at farrow and below 10 mm at wean compromised wean to estrus interval (>2 d) and next litter size (0.5 to 1.5 pigs) in sows. It is now clear that a 'modest' excess of feed during the first 72 h of pregnancy decreases embryo viability so that the potential for an increased litter size at birth is not realized. The capacity for milk production by prolific young sows is 25% higher than the standard used previously (NRC, 1988). First litter females averaged 9.82 kg milk/d for a 21 d lactation. Second and third litter counterparts averaged 10.35 kg/d. Milk production was 95% of peak by 10 d of lactation and sows were in greatest negative energy and lysine balance during the first 6 d. Nearly 45% of the total loss in body protein occurred within the first 6 d, but this could reduced to 30-35% by using a more aggressive feeding strategy after parturition. There appear to be 2 phases in lactation for lysine need (d 2-12 vs 12-21). Feeding to the higher level alleviates the second litter size decline. The lysine requirement for lactation can be predicted with accuracy, but we are not able to predict the second limiting amino acid. Mammary uptake of valine relative to lysine and recent work with practical diets suggest that the recent NRC (1998) pattern is realistic and that threonine and valine could be co-limiting for corn-soy diets for prolific sows nursing 10-11 pigs. Empirical studies are needed to refine the ideal pattern so that synthetic lysine can be used with more confidence. Milk fat output for the elite sow is extraordinary and poses an unnecessarily high energetic cost. Methods that reduce mammary fat synthesis will benefit the sow and may enhance piglet growth.