• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.378-396
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• 2010

The objectives of this study were to explore hospital foodservice management and to investigate conditions related to health insurance coverage of inpatient meals. A questionnaire was distributed to the nutrition departments of 44 hospitals in Seoul on July 2009. The average kitchen area was 0.5 $m^2$, and centralized distribution systems were in place. Partition walls from contamination zones, separate work tables to prevent cross-contamination, exclusive areas for preparing tube feeding, and split carts with refrigerated and convection heat settings were largely used in tertiary hospitals. Most dietitians did meal rounds (93.2%) and surveyed for patient satisfaction (86.4%). The major theme of QI (Quality Improvement) was menu management (31.8%). The health insurance fees for meals were (won)4,938.9 for a general diet, (won)5,199.8 for a therapeutic diet, (won)4,067.0 for tube feeding, (won)9,950.0 for sterilized diet, and (won)18,383.4 for diets not covered by health insurance. The prices for general and therapeutic diets were significantly lower in hospitals compared to tertiary or general hospitals (P<0.001). The cost composed of 48.3% food, 44.0% labor and 7.7% overhead for general diets and 47.9%, 44.5% and 7.6% for therapeutic diets. In the case of health insurance coverage for patient meals, the number of items applied to general diets averaged 2.8 out of 4 and for therapeutic diets it averaged 1.9 out of 3. To reform the health insurance coverage system for patient meals, it is urgent that the qualified level of patient meals is presented from a national viewpoint, and monitoring should be performed consistently by developing the evaluation tools.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.194-204
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• 1999

The objectives of this study were to assess the current practices of implementing selective menus and to identify the perception of foodservice manager and customer on selective menus for hospital foodservice would be fulfilled. Two types of questionnaires for hospital foodservice managers as well as customers were developed. Questionnaires were distributed to managers of 8 hospital foodservice department and 317 customers of patient meal service, and 6 managers and 139 customers were responded. The data were analyzed using frequency and t-test. The results of this study can be summarized as follows : 1. In hospital foodservice operations, the selective menu pattern was first introduced by L hospital on June 1994 in Seoul and recently 8 hospitals were currently implementing selective menus. But using rate of selective menus by patients were relatively low(23.2%), ranging from 15% to 32%. 2. Customers' needs for selective menus were rated significantly higher in the group of patients(4.24/5) who chose the selective menus than their counterpart(3.88/5). 3. The main reason not choosing selective menus was identified by patients as 'not knowing the implementation of selective menus'(52.6%), inconvenient factors in using selective menus for customer were also identified as orders : 'lack of nutrition information on menu item'(38.6%), 'complexity in procedure'(29.8%), and 'lack of menu variety'(26.3%). However managers considered 'managerial burden' and 'limited human resource' as main obstacle to implement the selective menu pattern. 4. Customers indicated 'variety of menu', 'active public relations' as effective methods to enhance using rate of selective menus, however, foodservice manager indicated 'variety of menu'(50%), 'improvement of quality'(16.7%), and 'simplicity in procedure'(16.7%). Based on the results of this study, following recommendations have been suggested : Managers in patient meal service should recognize customer needs for implementing selective menus and pay more attention in implementing selective menus and activating this program. For more effective implementation of activating selective menu program, the foodservice department should establish action plan on 'active publicity work', 'simplicity in procedures', 'variety of menu' and 'improvement of quality'. Especially nutrition informations on meals should be provided for customers in order to elevate participation rate.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.117-124
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• 2001

This study was conducted as a part of project developing the standards of the national board test for dietitian's licences. The purpose of this study was to define the job specification for dietitian's job description based on the knowledge, skill, attitude and related to the curriculum. The study team established the research team which composed of 11 person(7 professor in the university and 4 dietitians in hospitals, schools and private firms). The job description composed of 17 duties, 99 tasks and 576 task elements. For each element, the job specifications are written, which composed of introduction, process, required equipments, and required ability. Required ability included knowledge, skill and attitudes. The relations of the knowledge, skill and attitudes with the possible curriculum currently operated in the college or university were analyzed, also. Job specifications for 576 task elements are analyzed and framed.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.105-116
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• 2001

This study was conducted a part of the project developing the standards of national board test for the dietitian's licence. The purpose of this study was to verify the dietitian's job description. To do this the survey was carried out for the frequency, criticality and difficulty of each job description with 4 point scales. The subjects was 521 dietitians, who have been working over 3 years at their position. The results are following ; 1. The each duty, task and task elements are verified with survey results. 2. Duties with high frequency and criticality were menu management, purchasing, storage and stock management, operational management for cooking, system management for distribution and sanitation management. 3. Duties with middle frequency and high criticality were managing equipment and facility, food service management, human resources management and self-development. 4. Duties with low frequency and high criticality were nutritional assessment for life cycles, nutrition therapy, nutrition education and disease management. 5. For difficulty, food service area show lower than of nutrition service area.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.683-696
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• 2015

This study measures patients' meal satisfaction according to the type of operation (self-operation and contract operation) and identifies improvement areas. A survey was conducted using 183 contract operation patients and 60 self-operation patients receiving general meals. The mean score for satisfaction for the whole sample was 3.42 (self-operation = 3.51; contract operation = 3.39), and self-operation satisfaction was significantly higher than contract operation satisfaction. Mean scores were 2.98 for food, 3.26 for menu composition, 3.57 for sanitation, 3.78 for distribution meal services, and 3.50 for menu information. Self-operation showed a higher satisfaction level than the contract operation in food and menu composition. The ccontract operation showed a higher level of satisfaction than self-operation in sanitation, distribution meal services, and menu information. In terms of feeling dissatisfaction with meal services, both groups showed the highest dissatisfaction with food and menus, and both groups agreed on food and menus that required the greatest improvement. Based on the results, contract operation managers should develop and apply menus considering their preferences. Dietitians of self-operation strengthen communication between meal service staff and patients by carrying out periodic and systematic service education on self-operation.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.118-130
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• 2016

The objectives of this study were to analyze the operational characteristics and to explore the substantiality plan of inpatient diets for foreigners in hospitals. Questionnaires were mail-delivered to 128 hospitals, and a total of 62 questionnaires were usable with a response rate of 48.4 percent. Statistical data analysis was completed using SPSS Win 11.0 for descriptive analysis, independent t-test, and ${\chi}^2$ test. Results can be summarized as follows. The average number of inpatient meals for foreigners in the last 6 months were 405 and 53 for general therapeutic diets and special therapeutic diets, respectively. The rates of hospitals with an exclusive department and exclusive staff for foreign inpatients were 48.4% and 53.2%, respectively. Major nationalities of foreign inpatients were China (37.5%) and Russia (31.3%), and their major medical departments were internal medicine (43.9%) and surgery (39.0%). The number of hospitals that provided inpatient diet only for foreigners was 42 (72.4%) and influencing factors were number of permitted beds (P<0.05), an exclusive department (P<0.001), and exclusive staff (P<0.01). The main type of menu was USA European style (61.1%), and the price of inpatient meals for foreigners was mostly \10,000~\25,000 (62.0%). As 75.9% of hospitals did not possess dietary slip manuals for foreigners, the case of preparing inpatient meals for foreigners in the form of a general therapeutic diet partially-modified according to disease was the majority (55.4%). Dietitians felt the need for nutrition management guidelines and dietary slip manuals (47.3%) as a substantiality plan of inpatient diets for foreigners. There is a need for exclusive foodservice standards for foreign inpatients in the changing medical environment.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.324-338
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of interpersonal relationships of head nurses in interacting with others in general hospital settings. Methods: The data were collected by individual in-depth interviews from seven head nurses and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Five major categories emerged and they represent a major strategy according to five different groups of interacting people. 'Establishing trust' was identified as the key strategy in dealing with patients and family members. 'Embracing with sisterly love' and 'helping with self-defense' were major strategies for subordinate nurses and physicians, respectively. 'Respecting and recognizing' was the main approach for other professionals such as dietitians and 'emphasizing rules and educating' were a major one for non-professionals. Head nurses paid more attention and made efforts in dealing with their subordinate nurses than with other groups of people, because they felt the most difficulty in their relationship with subordinate nurses. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that head nurses employ unique strategies in interacting with different groups of people to increase the efficiency of communication. This study would help nurse administrators establish an effective program for improving interpersonal relationships of head nurse.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.313-328
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• 2006

This study was objectively performed to identify dietitians' job in the elderly health-care facilities, to assess facilities and dietitian's demographic characteristics, and to determine performance and importance of dietitian's job including the demand of therapeutic diet development. Survey was conducted by mail and samples were the dietitians working in 376 facilities which capacity is over 50 members from nationwide 583 the elderly health-care facilities. Returned questionnaire was 102 and used for statistic analysis. The distributions of the elderly health-care facilities showed 39 the elderly nursing facilities(38.2%), 32 skilled nursing facilities (32.4%), 13 geriatrics hospital facilities(12.7%) and 9 the elderly cost nursing facilities(8.8%). 60.0 percent of the samples showed its menu price as 1,000 to 1,500 won. A cycle-menu program was in-use at the 79.0% facilities, but only 7.1% facilities have been introduced a selected menu system. 92.9% facilities employed only one dietitian. In the demographic characteristics of dietitian only 14.7% dietitian had a clinical dietitian license and 51.5% of respondents answered at least 1 to 3 months internship program is needed. Job activities of the dietitian in the elderly health-care foodservice were identified as 45 activities with 9 dimensions. Job performance score evaluated dietitian oneself was 4.71 of 7 points. The average importance score that the dietitian evaluated their own job was 5.66 points of 7. The job activities shown higher importance but lower performance were therapeutic diet development for in-patients, menu development suitable for taste of the elderly, and leadership. Job performance score by characteristics of dietitian and their elderly health-care facilities was significantly associated with experience of dietitian in elderly health-care (F=4.480, p<0.05), education of dietitian(F=2.659, p<0.01), number of dietitian(F=2.245, p<0.05), and number of employee in foodservice(F=2.607, p<0.05). Most common diseases of the aged was proved as hypertension(81.7%), diabetes mellitus(71.4%), and dementia(65.0%). The therapeutic diets frequently provided were diabetes mellitus diet, dysphagia diet, low sodium diet, high fiber diet, and high protein diet, in order. For those reasons, dietitian in the elderly health care emphasized that the information about therapeutic diet development such as diabetes mellitus diet, dysphagia diet, low sodium diet and hypertension diet must be continuously developed and provided. The result from this study can be applicable to enlarge and enrich job activities of dietitian in elderly health-care foodservice.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.183-198
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of clinical nutrition services provided at tertiary hospitals and general hospitals in Korea. In total, 157 questionnaires were distributed to the departments of nutrition at hospitals on September 2013. The results of this study are as follows. The median number of beds was 607 and average length of stay was 8 days. 63.1% of dietitians had over 5 years of career experience. Nutritional screening rate was 97% in tertiary hospitals but only 67.2% in general hospitals (P<0.001). The rate of equipment with computerized nutritional screening system was 100% in tertiary hospitals but 71.9% in general hospitals (P<0.001). Hospitals with the best regarding nutritional care were hospitals accredited by JCI (Joint Commission International). On the other hand, hospitals not accredited by the JCI but KOIHA (Korea Institute for Healthcare Accreditation) showed the lowest performance rate of nutritional care. Nutrition support teams (NSTs) were established in all tertiary hospitals but in only 73% of general hospitals (P<0.001). The rate of actively operating NSTs was 89% in tertiary hospitals but only 62% in general hospitals (P<0.001). There is a need to provide proper standardized clinical nutrition services as a primary treatment and we observed large variations in the quality of nutritional service between hospitals. Therefore, local solutions are needed to implement nutritional programs and policies for improved service and care.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.230-241
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Inadequate nutrition in infants and young children affects physical growth and neurocognitive development. Therefore, early nutritional intervention is important to promote catch-up growth in young children with faltering growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation with a pediatric concentrated and balanced nutritional supplement formula on promoting growth and improving nutritional status in children with nonorganic faltering growth. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Children aged 12-36 months whose body weight-for-age was < 5^th percentile on the Korean Growth Charts were enrolled. Children born premature or having organic diseases were excluded. Children were instructed to consume 400 mL of formula per day in addition to their regular diet for 6 months. Pediatricians and dietitians educated the parents and examined the subjects every 2 months. Anthropometric parameters were measured at baseline and at 2, 4, and 6 months, and laboratory tests were done at baseline and 6 months. The good consumption group included children who consumed ≥ 60% of the recommended dose of formula. RESULTS: Total 82 children completed the 6-month intervention. At baseline, there were no significant differences in all variables between the good consumption and poor consumption groups. Weight and weight z-scores were significantly improved in the good consumption group compared to the poor consumption group at the end of the intervention (P = 0.009, respectively). The good consumption group showed a significant trend for gaining weight (P < 0.05) and weight z-score (P < 0.05) compared to the poor consumption group during 6 months of formula intake. The concentration of blood urea nitrogen was significantly increased in the good consumption group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional supplementation with a concentrated and balanced pediatric nutritional formula along with dietary education might be an effective approach to promote catch-up growth in children with nonorganic faltering growth.