• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.275-298
• /
• 2012

Terminal operators have provided special services such as loading, discharging, stowage of cargo to the owner, and carriers of the sea, which contribute the domestic and international logistics. For smooth flow of logistics, container terminal should reserve spaces for inbound and outbound logistics. However, if it is unable to provide the spaces, which can be caused by labour strikes or terminal lockouts and so on, national logistic system and financial management of terminal operators can be seriously affected. In order to minimize these kinds of problems, terminal operators impose high rate of charges ("overstorage charge") to the accumulated cargoes and/or containers, which are stipulated in terminal service agreement. Nevertheless, if there is no terminal service agreement with an owner of cargo and/or container, any kind of charge can cause legal problems (conflict ??) between the cargo and terminal operator. In this regard, I would like to study on the definition of overstorage charge and the legal issue of it based on the Busan district court's judgment. In particular, I will propose a special right of commercial lien and public auction for terminal operators to settle accumulated cargoes in container terminal.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.12 no.7
• /
• pp.327-336
• /
• 2014

This study aims to identify factors to affect regular utilization status of medical care in cardio-cerebrovascular patients. The research selected 770 cardio-cerebrovascular patients among surveyees from the Korea Health Panel 2010. We analyzed states of medical care utilization using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the main factors associated with regular utilization status of medical care in cardio-cerebrovascular patients. In result, the significant factors associated with regular utilization status of medical care in cardio-cerebrovascular patients were age, education level, household income level. CCI, presence or absence of high risk drinking, and presence or absence of obesity. There's a high probability that patients aged between 60 and 69, equal to and higher than those of high school graduate in education level, upper middle class in household income, the higher CCI, absence of high risk drinking, presence of obesity utilize medical care services more regularly. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective program and individualized approach for patients using lesser periodical medical care and patients with high risk drinking problem. In the future, these findings can be used an important data for healthcare policy and assessment.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.376-386
• /
• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial hazards posed by food utensils and fixtures in food service operations at selected middle and high schools located in Seoul, Korea. Methods: We collected 200 samples of utensils and fixtures including cups, spoons/chopsticks, food trays and tables from five different schools in Seoul. Target microorganisms of this study were divided into two groups: total bacterial count and total coliform as indicators of microbial contamination and Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus as pathogens of food poisoning. We used selective media to quantify microbial concentration and 16S rRNA PCR assay for qualitative analysis. In addition, intensive interviews with nutritionists were conducted and observations were made to identify factors that may affect microbial contamination. Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between the microbial concentration and operation characteristics of each operation. Results: The level of microbial concentration in school B and C were significantly lower than in school A, D and E (p<0.05). Some samples from school A, D and E showed over 3.4 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ (total bacterial count) and 1.0 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ (total coliform), which requires immediate hygienic action. The number of customers per staff member, periodicity of hygiene education for staff and daily operation time of sterilizers were also found to be important factors related with the microbial contamination of food service operations. Conclusions: These results suggested that not only a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) approach, but also efforts to assess internal risk factors within operations be needed to reduce the microbial contamination of food utensils and fixtures. This study is expected to provide preliminary data for assessing microbial hazards in food service operations.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.67-75
• /
• 2009

Objectives: This study was conducted to examine health inequality for gender and region in Korea. Especially it focused on health status such as disease prevalence and medical utilization of rural women. Methods: Data from the Korea national health and nutrition survey in 2001 were used. The final sample size was 37,108 individuals with age 20 and over. This study applied the logistic regression for nominal variables such as disease prevalence and unmet care needs and with the regression for continuos variables such as the length and costs of medical services. Results: Rates of disease prevalence and unmet care needs for chronic disease in rural area are higher than those in middle cities and big cities, and regional differences of those for women are more than those for mens with controlling ages. There could be interaction effect with region and sex. Conclusions: This study suggests that health policy maker should take consider of special status of rural women who are in health inequality.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
• /
• v.11 no.6
• /
• pp.100-110
• /
• 2010

The main roots of CM service contracts include existing customer repurchases and those made by new customers by existing ones. The study on customers and loyalty can be factors to strengthen CM's competitiveness. However, there have been little attempt to study customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. Construction Management (CM), the advanced construction management method, was introduced 15 years ago in the mid 1990's in the domestic market. The aim of this research is to build a model that can predict customer loyalty based on how much customers are satisfied with CM service. To measure customer satisfaction and loyalty, this research surveyed 135 decision-makers who have experienced CM services. Customer satisfaction was tested and analyzed according to different phases: planning, designing, procurement, construction, and post construction. Referral intention was tested based on NPS theory. Customer types were divided into detractors, passively satisfied and promoters according to the tested measurement and multinomial logistic regression between the satisfaction by construction phases and customer types. This research resulted to a model that can predict customer types: detractors, passively satisfied and promoters, which were determined according to satisfaction level. The initial planning phase also revealed which factor is most influential for a customer to become promoter. These results can be used to acquire customer loyalty by managing the satisfaction of customers through a project under an Internet-based environment. Such can provide the needed information in quickly exploring positive and negative word-of-mouth feedbacks.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.239-250
• /
• 2012

In recent years, national health insurance(NHI) coverage had been expanded gradually for cancer as a severe disease requiring high level of medical expenditure, to reduce patient's financial burden. But, subjective burdens level for out-of-pocket(OOP) money expense are still considerable owing to high medical cost and decent numbers of services not covered by benefit plan. This study aimed to investigate OOP medical expenditures and identify factors influencing subjective financial burden in cancer patients. A 28-items questionnaire for self-reporting by responders was designed to satisfy study goal and finalized following by one pilot study and experts' verification process. Subjects were enrolled during July to October 2010 through regular meetings organized by five patient or patient-advocacy groups had acknowledged the study purpose. Subjects who aged 20 or more, have histories of cancer diagnosis and anticancer drug use, and voluntarily agreed to participate in this study were recruited. Total 107 subjects included in the analysis have cancer lesions in breast, colon, kidney, liver or stomach at the stages from I to IV. Approximately 73% of them has passed less than 5 years since cancer diagnosis. For the OOP medical expenditure regarding cancer, less 6 million won was in 31%, 6-15 million won in 35% and more than 15 million won in 28% of responders, and more than half responders(58%) felt financial burden subjectively. 63% of responders had subscribed commercial insurances, resulting in money receipts of more than 10 million won since cancer diagnoses in 76% of responders. Logistic regression results showed significant differences in subjective OOP financial burden level depending on gender, household income level, benefit type, commercial insurance money receipt degree, year cancer diagnosed, cancer lesion, therapy type, duration of anticancer drug use, drug listing in national formulary, total OOP medical expenditure and total OOP anticancer drug expense. They had mixed feelings both wishes to expand NHI coverage to reduce financial burden(70%) and no willingness to increase premium(59%). This result suggested that NHI might direct future strategies to reduce absolute total OOP medical cost and expand benefit plan coverage in higher burden groups in particular.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.493-498
• /
• 2006

Objectives : Diabetes has been reported as a risk factor for several cancers. However, the association between diabetes and gastric cancer has been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the fasting serum glucose level and gastric cancer risk in Korea. Methods : Among the members of the Korean Multi-Center Cancer Cohort (KMCC) from 1993 to 2004, a total of 100 incident gastric cancer cases were ascertained until December 31, 2002 and 400 controls were matched according to age, sex, and year and area of enrollment. Of the eligible subjects, those without fasting serum glucose level information were excluded, with a total of 64 cases and 236 controls finally selected. On enrollment, all subjects completed a baseline demographic and lifestyle characteristics questionnaire, and had their fasting serum glucose level measured. The Helicobacter pylori infection status was determined by an immunoblot assay using long-term stored serum. The odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using conditional and unconditional logistic regression models adjusted for the H. pylori infection status, smoking, drinking, education, follow-up period and matching variables. Results : The ORs for risk of gastric cancer according to the serum glucose level were 1.33 [95% CI=0.50-3.53] and 1.66 [95% CI=0.55-5.02] for the categories of 100-125 and 126 mg/dL or greater, respectively, compared to the category of less than 100 mg/dL. No increased risk of gastric cancer according to the serum glucose level was found (p-trend=0.337). Conclusions : This study provides no evidence for an association of the serum glucose level with gastric cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Navigation
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.1-18
• /
• 1997

From the beginning of 1990s , also in the shipping industry, especially liner shipping industry competition has been more intensive and difference of the service quality among shipping companies has been learned . On the other hand, a shipping company has some limitations to do its international mission for itself just by broadening service area. For this reason, the necessity for the global strategi alliance among the shipping companies, which is orginally aimed at sharing of facilities and organixation, has been developed. Through strategic alliance, liner shipping companies do not need to input the additional capitals to increase the material assets such as vessel capacity and spread the risk by the enlargement of the market. Also, they can secure the competitive edge through efficient utilizaton of assets. The purpose of strategic alliance of Hanjin Shipping Ltd., can be summarized as follows ; broadening of service area, cost reduction through vessel sharing, realization of rationalized shipping service by terminal and equipment or facilities sharing. Liner strategic alliances are agreement among liner companies to pol their equipment , andterminals for joint operations and services in which each alliance partner continues to serve its market using jointly operated or used inland feeders,inland terminals, port terminals, and mainline fleets of ship as well as joint pools of containers and equipment. Strategic alliances are generally more formal agreements than consortia and impose longer term and far reaching obligation on their members. It also acts as one in developing and advancing the strategic aims of the alliance members. The most important objective for liner strategic alliances is cost reduction and improvement in capital asset utilization. Main aims of strategic alliance drawn in this paper, can be enumerated follows : 1. improvements in service frequency and quality : 2. improvements in vessel and equipment utilization and thereby reductions in fixed and variable cost ; 3. improvements in market shares and high value cargo booking ; 4. reductions in intermodal storage and port terminal throughput costs ; 5. improvements in negotiating powers with ports and feeder transport providers ; 6. reduction in financial and other fixed costs such as insurance; 7. coordination and integration of MIS and EDI systems and service for greater efficiency and market penetration ; and, 8. improvements in logistic chain management and economic of scale by equipment depot, terminal, and vessel sharing.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.152-158
• /
• 2012

Purpose: To understand the epidemiology of head trauma and the utilization of brain CT in Korea, we analyzed a national sampling data set, the National Patient Sample obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Methods: We retrospectively collected and analyzed demographic and clinical data on enrolled patients from the National Patient Sample based on medical claims data for 2009. The data included patient's age, sex, treatment date, diagnosis codes, procedure codes related with CT, holiday or night consultation fee, and fee for emergency management services. Results: In 2009, the estimated population with head trauma was 819,059(1.8%), and the rate of brain CT utilization was 22.4%. Children ages 5 to 15 were the most commonly injured group(22.8%), but had the lowest brain CT utilization(16.5%). The mean age of the estimated population with head trauma was $34.9{\pm}0.5years$ old, and male patients accounted for 60.5% of that population. Intracranial injury was found in 8.6% of all head traumas, and the rate of intracranial injury in children was lower than it was in adults(4.1% vs. 10.9%, p<0.001). Twenty- three percent of patients with head trauma visited the emergency department (ED). More patients with head trauma visited medical facilities in the daytime on weekdays(66.5% vs. 33.5%, p<0.001), but head CT was performed more frequently at night or on weekends/holidays(16.1% vs. 34.7%, p<0.001) There is low incidence of head trauma in the winter in children (p<0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, patients who were adults, female, or ED visitors were more likely to undergo brain CT (odds ratio (OR): 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.47-1.84; OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.27-1.54; OR: 7.80, 95% CI: 6.91-8.80, respectively). Conclusion: In this study, we analyzed the national epidemiologic trend for head trauma, and the pattern of utilization of brain CT.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.27 no.2 s.46
• /
• pp.366-376
• /
• 1994

Patients' evaluation of hospital care is one of the most important aspects of quality assessment. Survey allows patients to judge sujectively the events that occur during their hospital visit if performed properly. This study describes the result of a research effort to develop outpatient questionnaire that has sufficient validity and reliability to be used to measure patients' perception of satisfaction in Korea and to investigate influencing factors on patients' satisfaction. Self-administered questionnaire was developed for outpatient and the survey was conducted covering 827 outpatients in a tertiary hospital. It was confirmed by factor analysis that patients evaluate several components of ambulatory care distinctly ; hospital environment, administration and ancillary services, and medical care. We found strong evidence of construct validity and internal consistency for the above three dimensions of hospital process. On the contrary, reliability of overall outcome measures was low. It suggests that three items concerning overall outcome measures have some different meanings in patients' perception. Using logistic regression analysis it was found that previous health status, cost evaluation, and improvement in health status have significant influences on the level of patients' overall satisfaction and that patient's sex, experience of previous visit, expectation for improvement, cost evaluation, and improvement in health status are strongly related with intention to recommend hospital. In spite of some limitations the results of this study can be used helpfully as baseline informations for developing self-administered questionnaire and for exploring the influencing factors on patients' satisfaction. Further comprehensive research efforts should be made on the measurement of ambulatory patients' satisfaction and its related factors in current Korean situation.