• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.365-373
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• 2007

Destruction of oral soft and hard tissues and resulting problems seriously affect the life quality of xerostomic patients. Although artificial saliva is the only regimen for xerostomic patients with totally abolished salivary glands, currently available artificial salivas give restricted satisfaction to patients. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the development of ideal artificial saliva through comparing viscosity and wettability between CMC solutions and human saliva. Commercially-available CMC is dissolved in simulated salivary buffer (SSB) and distilled deionized water (DDW). Various properties of human whole saliva, human glandular saliva, and a CMC-based saliva substitutes known as Salivart and Moi-Stir were compared with those of CMC solutions. Viscosity was measured with a cone-and-plate digital viscometer at six different shear rates, while wettability on acrylic resin and Co-Cr alloy was determined by the contact angle. The obtained results were as follows: 1. The viscosity of CMC solutions was proportional to CMC concentration, with 0.5% CMC solution displaying similar viscosity to stimulated whole saliva. Where as a decrease in contact angle was found with increasing CMC concentration. 2. The viscosity of human saliva was found to be inversely proportional to shear rate, a non-Newtonian (pseudoplastic) trait of biological fluids. The mean viscosity values at various shear rates increased as follows: stimulated parotid saliva, stimulated whole saliva, unstimulated whole saliva, stimulated submandibular-sublingual saliva. 3. Contact angles of human saliva on the tested solid phases were inversely correlated with viscosity, namely decreasing in the order stimulated parotid saliva, stimulated whole saliva, unstimulated whole saliva, stimulated submandibular-sublingual saliva. 4. Boiled CMC dissolved in SSB (CMC-SSB) had a lower viscosity than CMC-SSB (P < 0.01 at shear rate of $90s^{-1}$). 5. For human saliva, contact angles on acrylic resin were significantly lower than those on Co-Cr alloy (P < 0.01). 6. Comparing CMC solutions with human saliva, the contact angles between acrylic resin and human saliva solutions were significantly lower than those between acrylic resin and CMC solutions, including Salivart and Moi-Stir (P <0.01). The effectiveness of CMC solutions in terms of their rheological properties was objectively confirmed, indicating a vital role for CMC in the development of effective salivary substitutes.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-81
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the association between the severity of sleep apnea, sleep and mood related scales, and activity during sleep in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. Methods: 176 drug-free male patients confirmed as OSAS (average age=$43{\pm}11$ years) were selected through nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG). OSAS was diagnosed with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >5, mean AHI was $39.6{\pm}26.0$. Sleep related scales were Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Morningness-Eveningness Scale (MES). Mood related scales were Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) I, II and Profile of Mood States (POMS). NPSG was performed overnight with both wrist actigraphy (WATG). Parameters produced from WATG were total activity score, mean activity score and fragmentation index. We analyzed the correlation between each scale, AHI scored from NPSG and activity score analyzed from WATG. Results: ESS showed significant positive correlation with PSQI, BDI, BAI and STAI I, II, respectively (p<0.01). SSS showed significant positive correlation with PSQI and BAI (p<0.05, p<0.01). BAI showed significant positive correlation with total activity score, mean activity score and fragmentation index (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.05).Total activity score showed significant positive correlation with ESS and BAI, respectively (p<0.05). Fragmentation index showed significant positive correlation with ESS, PSQI and BAI (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.05). AHI, indicator of sleep apnea is showed no significant correlation with each sleep and mood related scale. Conclusion: The degree of daytime sleepiness tends to be associated with night sleep satisfaction, depression and anxiety, and the activity during sleep rather than the severity of sleep apnea.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 2004

Purpose: This study reported the outcomes following the use of bioabsorbable knotless anchor in patients with anterior instability of shoulder. Methods: We studied fifteen cases with traumatic anterior shoulder instability underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with bioabsorbable knotless suture anchor between January 2003 and June 2003. Among fifteen patients, fourteen were male and one was female, with a mean patient age of 24 years (range 16-42). The mean follow-up was 14 months (range 12-18 months). We compared with operation time of twenty cases of arthroscopic Bankart repair by the suture anchor technique between January 2002 and October 2002. Results: Neither recurrent dislocation nor subluxation was happened in postoperative follow-up. Mean score for functional evaluation by Rowe et al. was 89.4 and that for patient subjective satisfaction was 87,5. At last follow-up period, average shoulder range of motion for flexion and external rotation was 171$^{\circ}$ and 54$^{\circ}$ respectively. All patients were satisfied except three who had an apprehension at the follow up. During Bankart repair, it took an average of 25.5 minutes for one knot with the use of suture anchor technique whereas an average of 16.5 minutes for one knot with the use of bioabsorbable knotless anchor. Significantly, we saved operation time with the use of bioabsorbable knotless anchor (P<0.05).Conclusion: Repairing the Bankart lesion with the use of knotless anchor technique has the advantage of obtaining good capsular tensioning and saving operation time. And it is considered to be very successful in treating shoulder instability without recurrent dislocation or subluxation.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.484-490
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• 2021

Purpose: A rheumatoid forefoot deformity includes severe hallux valgus and claw toe of the four lateral toes. The authors intended to analyze the mid-term results of the modified Hoffman procedure for a rheumatoid forefoot deformity. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two feet of eighteen patients were followed up for more than two years after the modified Hoffman procedure. The mean age was 54.7 years, and the mean follow-up period was three years and four months. Clinically visual analogue scale (VAS) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) MP-IP score were analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively. The postoperative complications, the satisfaction of patients, and the presence of plantar callosity were also analyzed. Radiographically, the hallux valgus angle, the 1st intermetatarsal angle, the 1st interphalangeal angle, the 1st interphalangeal joint arthritic change after the operation, and the dorsiflexion angle and the time to union of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint were analyzed. Results: Clinically, the VAS and AOFAS score were respectively improved from 7.1 points and 30.3 points preoperatively to 1.5 points and 83.1 points postoperatively (p<0.001). All patients were satisfied with the results. Plantar callosity disappeared in all cases. Radiographically, the mean hallux valgus angle, the 1st intermetatarsal angle, and the 1st interphalangeal angle changed from 52.8°, 13.3°, and 7.5° preoperatively to 16.2°, 8.7°, and 14.6° postoperatively (p<0.001). The mean dorsiflexion angle of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint was 17.2° postoperatively. The mean time to radiographic union of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint was 11.1 weeks. There were two cock-up deformities of the lesser toe, one wound problem, and two hallux interphalangeal joint arthritis as a complication. There were no cases of nonunion of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint. Conclusion: The modified Hoffman procedure appears to be a safe and satisfactory procedure for a rheumatoid forefoot deformity.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.417-433
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• 2010

Purpose: This study evaluated the manpower planning of dental technicians. Methods: Methods : Survey was conducted regarding subject's general characteristics, characteristics of dental technician's occupational view and working conditions, and reason to enter into branches of the public health enter. The survey sample consisted of 323 dental technicians (221 male/ 102 female). Survey was conducted for one month from August 1 to September 1 in 2010. Following results were obtained. Results: 1. Regarding general characteristics of the subjects, there was a slight male predilection with 68.4%. Subjects in their 40s occupied the highest proportion of 32.2%. Majority of subjects worked in the big cities (71.5%). Favored working places were dental laboratory (57.6%) and dental hospital or dental clinic (19.5%). Although no position is available in the public sector such as public health center or health care civil servant, 9.3% preferred working in the public health center. Public sector is more favored than 2-year technical colleges or dental supply and equipment companies. In respect to education, 57% of the subjects graduated college. 67.8% were married. Subjects who specialize in the porcelain or all-ceramic were 57.9%. With regard to current position, head of the dental laboratory was most common. 2. Following occupation characteristics were found. Economic reason took the highest proportion when deciding their occupation (39.9%) followed by gaining social experience (36.5%). Majority of the subjects (76.5%) wanted to work as dental technicians until their retirement. 71.5% pursuit to become a manager of the dental laboratory. 76.1% agreed on opening a dental technician position in the public health center. Regarding an authority to lead developing the dental technician position in the public sector, majority of the subject chose ministry of health and welfare (35.6%) and Korean dental technologist association (34.7%). Employment (average, 30%) and turnover rate (average, 36.5%) of dental technology college graduates ranged from 40% to 60%. Most important factors for the employment were practical experience (41.2%) and competency (34.4%). With regard to job satisfaction, so-so as 46.7% and satisfactory was 42.7% 3. In respect to the reason for opening a position in the public health center, 'It is needed to continue denture rogram for elderly patients' obtained the highest score (4.14 point). 'Institutional devices are required to open a position for dental technicians as a public healthcare provider' received high score (4.11 point). 4. Concerning the working conditions, 'professional knowledge is required' received the highest score (4.23) followed by 'too short maternity and parental leave' (4.21). 5. Relationship between general characteristics of the subjects and favor of working in the public health center was investigated. Significant differences were found according to the current and favored working area, favored occupation, education level, marital status, and specialty. Working in the public health center was favored by following subjects: working in mid- or small-sized cities (4.16 point, p<0.05); PhD degree-holder (4.59 point, p<0.01). 6. Among general characteristics of the subjects, significant difference of working conditions was found in the following factors: gender; working areas; favored working areas; favored working positions, and education level. Majority of subjects favored working in big cities and currently work in big cities although satisfaction was comparatively low (3.75 score). 7. Future plan to work in public health center was evaluated according to occupational characteristics. Subject's intention to work in the public healthcare center was significantly affected by opening of dental technician position, leading authority, average turnover rate, and factors affecting employment. Working in the public health care center was favored by the following subjects: Dental technicians who actively supported opening of the dental technician position (4.34 point, p<0.001); subjects who thought the Korean dental technologist association is responsible for the opening of positions in the public sector (4.26 point, p<0.001); and subjects who thought that attitude and character are important for the employment (p<0.001). 8. Concerning difference of working conditions according to the occupational characteristics, significant difference was demonstrated by factors such as a reason to choose to be a dental technician, work plan, pursuing position, responsible authority, average employment rate, and job satisfaction. High standard of working conditions was required in subjects who selected to be a dental technician for the leisure time after work (s.05 point, p<0.01), who planted to work until their marriage (4.25 point, p<0.001), and who pursuit to be a manager (3.98, p<0.05). 9. In respect to influence of general characteristics on the advancement to public health centers, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.068 and age affected the working condition with significant difference according to the pvalue. 10. Regarding influence of general characteristics on the advancement to public health centers, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.335 and work plan, opening of dental technician position in the public sector, and responsible authority had significant influence over the subject's intention to work in the public health center according to the p-value. 11. With regard to the influence of general characteristics on the advancement to public health centers, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.091 and reason to choose to be a dental technician, work plan, and responsible authority significantly affected subject's working conditions. Conclusion: Korean society is becoming a super-aged society according to several statistics. As aged population is rapidly increasing, national health insurance plans to cover denture for senior citizen over 75 years old from 2012. Therefore, dental technicians are urgently needed in the public health centers all over the nation. Many subjects in this study planed to work until their retirement and recognized dental technician's expertise. Ministry of health and welfare and Korean dental technologist association should co-operate each other to prepare foundation and institutional devices for dental technicians to advance into the public health center. This will improve oral health of the population. This study showed urgency of medical facilities and services which meets increasing number of aged population and welfare of the population.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.259-279
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• 2000

This study is a descriptive analytic research measuring nursing service quality, using SERVQUAL model, to make fundamental data and strategies for nursing service improvement. Data were collected by self-reported questionnaire from 202 patients and 142 nurses, from June 7 to 14, 1999. The reliability of instrument were adequate(Cronbach ${\alpha}=.94$). SAS program was utilized for statistical analysis of collected data. The results were as follows; 1. There was a gab between patient's expectation and perception on nursing service(Gap B). Gap D was indicated an affecting factor to decide nursing service quality. Gap C was indicated an indirect affecting factor of nursing service quality. Because it was not statistically significant in total item analysis, but in individual item analysis, 7 items were appeared statistically significant. Gap A was not a gap occurrence factor of nursing service quality. 2. Focuses of nursing service quality improvement strategies were; (1) to direct qualitative improvement of nursing service in order to correspondence patient's nursing service expectation. (2) to make nurse's service activity modified because nurse's practice were not reached patient's expectation level. (3) to need internal, external factor analysis affecting nurse's service activity. 3. Nursing service quality was decided by rather environmental inappropriateness provided nursing service than itself. Therefore, to make nursing service quality improvement, it is required to improve nursing service environment. For this, followings are required; (1) to strengthen nurse's education on lower part of nursing service satisfaction and QI activities. (2) to balance demand and supply of nursing personnel. 3) to fix computerized system for reducing other duties weight except nursing care through analysis of nursing activity. (4) to construct rational cooperating system among related departments. 4. The important parts for nursing service quality improvement were indicated as follows: (1) Gap B: 'prompt reaction', 'examination symptom before patient's complaint', 'hearted nursing service reducing patient's dissatisfaction', 'explanation goals of nursing activities', 'having special Knowledge enough', 'maintenance position comfortably', 'management of patient's physical hygiene'. (2) Gap C: 'maintenance physical safety', 'explanation about hospital rules and facilities'. (3) Gap D: 'tender, safe injection and wound care'. Because above items are mostly improved through nurse's attitude change and quality improvement, it is required to establish nursing standardization and to strengthen nurse's clinical education. As the based on above results, followings are suggested; 1. SERVQUAL model is very useful to make strategies for nursing service quality improvement because it indicates multiple factors affecting hap occurrence. 2. At individual items analysis of Gap C, statistically significant 7 items appeared higher nurse's perception level than patient's perception level on nursing service were trouble perception level on nursing service quality improvement. So. it need further research to analysis about these difference occurring factors. 3. At analysis of Gap D, it is indicated that in nursing service performance process, multiple factors lowing nursing service quality were intruded. So it needs further research to analysis what these factors are and how each factors affect on nursing performance process. 4. nursing service quality measurement is changeable according to sample select time or sampled subject's characteristics. So to develope strategy for nursing service quality improvement is based on the results of periodical analysis.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.60-72
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• 1994

Background: The number of outpatients visiting large university teaching hospitals has increased drastically with the introduction of a nationwide health care insurance in 1989 and the improvement of the socio-economic status of the population. This resulted in long waiting times for services, particularly prescribed drugs, which have been patients' chief complaints. Hospitals have tried to solve the problem with limited success because their approach lacked comprehensive research. The objective of this study is to investigate associations between waiting times and variables defining a total work system. Methods: Data for the outpatient pharmacy department in a tertiary care university teaching hospital located in Seoul was analyzed to achieve the study objective. Associations of pharmacy system variables -- work load, work force, pharmacist work schedule, machine problems, and inventory control -- with mean and 99th percentile of waiting times were examined by the hierarchical stepwise regression method. Day was a unit of the analyses. Results: The regression models explained 65.8% of variance in the mean waiting time and 61.34% in the 99th percentile of waiting times. The break-down of the printer for drug envelops, Automatic Tablet Counters (ATCs), and main computer system lasted longer than 30 minutes increased the mean for 7.7 minutes, 4.5 minutes, and 7.0 minutes, respectively, and the 99th percentile for 14.8 minutes, 9.0 minutes, and 15.7 minutes, respectively. Concerning the work force, study results showed that there were significant differences in the productivity of pharmacists with work experience more than three years, one to three years, and less than one year, and showed that peak time aid work by pharmacists at job assignments other than the outpatient pharmacy, part-time pharmacists, and the installation of ATCs were effective in reducing waiting times, Finally, study findings indicated that the operational policy of work assignment and rotation schedule, supply and inventory of drugs at work tables, and readiness for undisrupted work during the work hours could have a significant effect on waiting times. Conclusion: The study results indicated that efforts to reduce waiting times for prescribed drugs should be geared toward every components of the pharmacy work system ranging from work schedule of pharmacists and supply of dugs at work tables. These findings should provide hospital managers with right directions in battling the problem.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to offer the importance on factors of selecting dental institution according to general characteristics targeting general dental patients, and the information of having important influence upon choosing dental clinic and dental hospital. The survey was carried out from August 2009 to September. As a result of analyzing SAS(ver 9.1), the following conclusions were obtained. In the importance on factors of selecting dental institution according to general characteristics, it was thought to be important in convenience of movement or mobility such as distance, transportation, and parking convenience according to age level. According to final academic background, the importance in a factor of rumor in dental clinic was high(p < 0.05). According to job, the significant difference was shown in rumor of dentistry and parking convenience(p < 0.05). According to income, the factor in the appearance of training a medical specialist was indicated to be statistically higher in the group with over 5 million won than the group with under 2 million won(p < 0.05). Given seeing the distribution of opinion about dental hospitals (comparison with dental clinics), the excellence in the medical staff's ability was indicated to be the highest in all of the factor of influencing the use satisfaction(${\beta}=0.18$), the factor of influencing the recommendation level(${\beta}=0.21$), and the factor of influencing the re-use intention(OR=2.09).

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.292-299
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• 2013

Purpose: There is a growing concern for the cost management of medical institutions. The purpose of this study was to estimate Activity-Based Costing (ABC) for dental implant cost. ABC refers to allocating resources or cost based on the activities of services. Materials and methods: A dental institution located in the metropolitan area was selected in this study. The tax accounting data of the institution were utilized to confirm total cost, and the institution was asked to make out clinical activities to figure out what activities were carried out. The direct cost and indirect cost for dental implant were separately estimated, and cost driver was analyzed to estimate the indirect cost accurately. Results: The rates of the direct and indirect cost respectively stood at 35.8 and 49.5 percent. The cost for a dental implant was found to be approximately 1,579 won, and the cost of prosthetic surgery and treatment that included implant surgery accounted for the largest portion of the cost, which was 470 thousand won (30%). And the weight of training and education on dentistry was relatively higher than that of the other kinds of treatment. Conclusion: In order to ensure accurate and scientific costing for dental implant, not only direct medical procedure but every pre- and post-procedure activity should fully be taken into account. Pre-activities, post-activities, education and training are included in the indirect cost, but all these activities are mandatory and associated with the quality of treatment and the satisfaction level of patients.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.32-45
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• 2004

Objective : The aim of this study were to measure quality of life(QOL) in liver transplant recipients, to compare QOL between living donor liver transplant recipients and cadaveric liver transplant recipients and to investigate whether SF-36 may be used as a disease-specific instrument in liver transplant recipients. Methods : We conducted a single-center cross-sectional study of 133 LT recipients ages 13 to 65 years, all of whom had had Liver Transplantation(LT) at least 1 months previously. QOL was assessed using a self-completion questionnaire consisting of the Bang Whal Ran(1991) instruments and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36) health status profile measure. We investigated whether the SF-36 instrument may be used as a disease-specific instrument in LT recipients. Individual scale scores range from 0 to 100, with higher score reflecting better health. Data on demographics, clinical status at pre transplantation 1 day, post transplantation clinical status, and graft function were collected to identify predictors of post transplantation QOL. Results : Standard measures for test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and discriminant and concurrent validity were examined. The reliability of the SF-36, as measured by test-retest correlation(Pearson coefficients: 0.729, p=0.002) and by internal consistency(Cronbach's alpha: 0.9431) exceeded conventional acceptability criteria. The correlation between domain scores of SF-36 and the Bang Whal Ran(l991) was clear and logical in that the clinical characteristics of SF-36 strongly correlated with the clinical component summary score of the Bang Whal Ran(l991)(r = 0.8155, P<.01). SF-36 scale scores were compared between Cadaveric Liver Transplant recipients and Living Donor Liver Transplant recipients. Donor types of post LT did not influence HRQOL(p>0.05). 87% of the liver transplant recipients were satisfied to get LT. Satisfaction of post LT showed significantly greater HRQOL(p<0.001). Conclusion : SF-36 is found reliable and valid. This study indicates thet Donor Type did not influence HRQOL after LT. The information gained from this study will help us to better define expectations and the clinical course after liver transplantation to patients and their families.