• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.60 no.3
• /
• pp.277-284
• /
• 2006

Background : Delayed treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis is an important problem because it results in greater mortality and the nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis. This study was conducted to analyze the factors that contribute to the delayed treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in a university hospital and we wanted to provide basic data for instituting an effective management program for tuberculosis. Methods : we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 155 patients with smear-positive or culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis and who were treated between May 1999 and October 1999. A case-control study was performed to analyze the factors. We then tried to follow up the patients in delayed treatment group via telephone for the purpose of assessing the therapeutic interventions. Results : Among 150 patients, 55 (37%) were included in the delayed treatment group. The factors associated with delayed treatment on the univariate analysis included age (61 vs 40 years old; p <0.001), a smear-negative sputum test for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) (85% vs 55%; p <0.001) and no visits to a private clinic before the patient presented to the university hospital (56% vs 36%; p = 0.014). Multivariate analysis revealed that old age (p = 0.001), a smear-negative sputum for AFB (p = 0.001), and lower lobe infiltrate on chest X-ray (p = 0.041) were the independent predictors of delayed treatment. Of the 22 patients who did not receive any treatment, 20 of them 91%) consented to our suggestion of revisiting the hospital. Conclusion : Delayed treatment of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis is not uncommon in a university hospital. Old age, smear-negative for AFB, and lower lobe infiltrate on chest X-ray are the risk factors for delayed treatment. A more systematic management system is required for achieving better control of tuberculosis.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.155-164
• /
• 2002

Hypertension is the most frequent disease of chronic circulatory diseases and major intermediate cause or risk of the cerebrovascular disease which is a leading cause of death in Korea. Therefore, management of hypertension is an important issue in Korean healthcare. Especially, therapeutic compliance of hypertensives is very important because the hypertensive patients should receive anti-hypertensive treatment as long as the condition exists. However, many patients drop out of treatment, which is a major problem that needs to be solved through a hypertension control program. This study was carried out to provide basic data and counter measule for the hypertension control program in the community which aimed to keep the patients receiving treatment continuously. In order to investigate compliance of hypertensive patients during three months follow-up and the rate of control of hypertension, the data were collected during February, 2001, by reviewing medical records of 295 hypertensive patients who had been registered to Gunnam-myeon health subcenter before November, 2000. The author also study the dropout reasons by interviewing 58 patients among 68 dropout patients. The results were as follows: 1. Among the 295 subjects, 108(36.6%) were male and 187(63.4%) were female. Statistically, female hypertensives had a higher mean age than male(64.6 vs 66.3, p<0.05). 2. The 54.9% of the patients took anti-hypertensive medicine continuously for the past three months. And 19.3% had drug intermittently, and 25.8% dropped out of treatment. 3. Among several variables, such as sex, age, health insurance, the time taken from a patient's village to the health subcenter, only the last one was found to be significantly related to therapeutic compliance in the contingency table analysis. 4. The dropout reasons by multiple response were as follows, 'no symptom or no problem' (23.9%), 'change to other hospitals'(19.4%), 'geographical barrier'(17.9%), 'change to a neighborhood drugstore' (14.9%), 'immobility'(7.5%), 'economic barrier'(6.0%), 'unsatisfactory services of the health subcenter'(4.4%). 5. The mean blood pressure of 295 subjects was $144.9{\pm}12.9/86.88{\pm}8.6mmHg$. 6. The 32.5% of the subjects were controlled below 140/90mmHg. Conclusions: In order to improve the low rates of treatment and control of hypertension in rural hypertensives, a more active and systematic hypertension control program, including out-reaching follow-up management, is required in rural area. Especially, for health education of hypertensive patients, emphasis should placed on correcting wrong attitude toward hypertension.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study is to improve the oral health after understanding the usage status of oral health items and to conduct active guidance for prohibition of smoking. The survey of 326 visitors for continuous oral health management in the dentist from April 2nd 2007 to May $20^{th}$ is accomplished. The data is handled from the SPSS 12.0 statistics program and we can get the results like below. 1. The number of people answering the usage of the smooth toothbrush is 64.5% which is higher in smoking peoples than in non-smoking ones (p < 0.001). Non-smoking people 61.4% answering '3 minutes more' per brushing their teeth is higher than smoking respondents. 2. The more used device is the interdental brush by non-smoking people 36.7% than smoking ones and the answer. 3. The percentage answering 'recommendation in the dentist' in the question about the motive using the oral health devices are nearly same in 69.6 % and 67.5% by non-smoking and smoking persons. The most reason not using these devices is 'don't know how to use this' and the number of smoking guys is 38.7% which is higher than that of non-smoking ones(p < 0.05). 4. The percentage of answering 'regular visiting the dentist', the method for oral health management is 28.3% in smoking parts and 35.3% in non-smoking ones which is slightly higher. From this study, the usage and the recognition of oral hygiene devices of the patient with smoking is a little bit lower than those of non-smoking patients and small difference is shown. So public relations of the effects and the necessity of the oral hygiene devices to all people have to be performed and the education and the activity prohibiting smoking are expanded by the dental hygienist based on the understanding of oral health when the patients are smoking or not.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.62-70
• /
• 2013

The aim of this study was to analyze factors related to xerostomia in adults aged 30 years and over. The data were analyzed using the t-test, one-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis in the SPSS version 12.0 program. The results were as follow. 1. The respondents who were older than 51 years old, unemployed and had less than 3 million won of average monthly income were more aware of xerostomia (p<0.05). 2. The respondents who answered poor and moderate for their general and oral health and the group with duplicate medication and comorbidity were more aware of xerostomia (p<0.05). 3. The respondents that had problems in chewing, communication, ordinary activities and complained of pain discomfort and suffered from anxiety depression were more aware of xerostomia (p<0.001). 4. The respondents that answered frequent dryness on their skin, eyes, lips, and nasal mucosa were more aware of xerostomia (p<0.001). 5. Xerostomia showed highest correlation with quality of life ($\beta$=0.436) followed by the number of medications ($\beta$=0.239), sense of entire body dryness ($\beta$=0.200), feeling of hopelessness ($\beta$=0.160) and number of oral mucosa disease symptoms ($\beta$=0.099) (p<0.05). According to the results of the study, xerostomia may cause deterioration in quality of life. Thus, it is advised to improve the patient management system among dental professions to prevent various complications caused by xerostomia and conduct regular health education on the cause and management method of xerostomia.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.1-24
• /
• 2013

As image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) has been commonly used for more accurate patient setup and monitoring tumor movement during radiation therapy, the necessity for management of imaging dose is increased. However, it has not been an interest issue to radiation therapy communities because the imaging dose is much lower than the therapeutic dose. However, since the cumulative dose from 4DCT and repeated imaging for daily setup verificationin would not be ignorable, appropriate dose management based on ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle is required. In this study, we aimed that (1) survey on imaging equipments and modalities used for IGRT, (2) estimation of IGRT imaging dose depending on treatment types and equipments, (3) collecting data of effective dose on treatment sites from each equipment and imaging protocol, and thus finally provide guideline for imaging dose reduction and optimization.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.113-122
• /
• 2010

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of a target position at static and dynamic state by using Dynamic phantom for the difference between tumor's actual movement during respiratory gated radiation therapy and skin movement measured by RPM (Real-time Position Management). Materials and Methods: It self-produced Dynamic phantom that moves two-dimensionally to measure a tumor moved by breath. After putting marker block on dynamic phantom, it analyzed the amplitude and status change depending on respiratory time setup in advance by using RPM. It places marker block on dynamic phantom based on this result, inserts Gafchromic EBT film into the target, and investigates 5 Gy respectively at static and dynamic state. And it scanned investigated Gafchromic EBT film and analyzed dose distribution by using automatic calculation. Results: As a result of an analysis of Gafchromic EBT film's radiation amount at static and dynamic state, it could be known that dose distribution involving 90% is distributed within margin of error of 3 mm. Conclusion: As a result of an analysis of dose distribution's change depending on patient's respiratory cycle during respiratory gated radiation therapy, it is expected that the treatment would be possible within recommended margin of error at ICRP 60.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.20-24
• /
• 2010

Background: Fulminant myocarditis is a rare, but life threatening condition. Its prognosis is related with proper management in the acute phase. A cardiopulmonary support device can be very useful in this phase. We report on our experiences with managing acute fulminant myocarditis with a cardiopulmonary support (CPS) device. Material and Method: We reviewed retrospectively 9 patients who had a CPS device used for their fulminant myocarditis between September, 2006 and October, 2008. A Capiox emergency bypass system (Terumo Inc, Tokyo, Japan) was percutaneously inserted in all the patients. Upon implantation, all the patients were in cardiogenic shock because of ventricular arrhythmia or severe left ventricular dysfunction. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was $20{\pm}6%$ according to transthoracic echocardiography. Result: 3 patients died despite CPS. The CPS was bridged to a transplanted heart in one patient. The rest were successfully explanted after a mean time of $107{\pm}70$ hours of running. The mean EF after discharge was $56{\pm}7%$ without dilated cardiomyopathy. Conclusion: Fulminant myocarditis can be fatal, but its prognosis is excellent if these patients receive proper, timely treatment. A cardiopulmonary support device can be very useful in this acute period. However, the implantation and management protocol of cardiopulmonary support are not yet settled. Further study is necessary to lower the complications of cardiopulmonary support for patients with fulminant myocarditis.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.10-19
• /
• 2013

Purpose: Home-based care providers were surveyed to assess the effect of collaborative service between Gyeongnam Regional Cancer Center (GRCC) and public health centers (PHCs) in Gyeongnam province. Methods: Twenty home-based care providers who had previously participated in the GRCC-PHC care project were recruited from nine PHCs and were surveyed using a questionnaire developed by specialists. Questions were rated using the 5-point Likert scale ranging from "strongly disagree (-2)" to "strongly agree (+2)" and each score was multiplied by the corresponding number of respondents (n=20) with the maximum score of 40. Results: Between January 2008 and December 2011, 73 patients were registered to the collaborative service: 72 by GRCC and one by PHC. Home-based care providers marked the highest score (23 points) to "The collaborative service contributed to patients and their family's psychological stability" and the lowest score (11 points) to "The collaborative service was generally helpful for home-based cancer management." For possible suggestions to improve the service, the highest score (35 points) was given to "Simplification of the hospitalization process" followed by "Substantial benefits for patients at their visit to the hospital" (34 points). Conclusion: The results revealed several limitations of the GRCC-PHC collaborative care service for terminal cancer patients. The service could be further improved by developing measures to address the limitations and a service model tailored to region-specific needs.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.70-85
• /
• 2001

This study has been conducted, on the reservation of specific examinations during seven months starting from June 1999 and ending December as the Group I for these of one stop service and as the Group II for those of existing direct reservation made by patients or patrons, to understand the differences between the two groups. The survey was extended to the patients visiting specific departments of K hospital with sample sizes of 154 for the Group I and 155 for the Group II. The findings of the survey are as follows: First, as the general characteristics of the sample, male patients account for 67% of the total and female patients 33%, with the former twice as large as the latter. The average age of the patients is 51, indicating relatively high level. By the geographical area of residence, metropolitan area is 80.7% and the other area 19.3%, showing most of the patients are from metropolitan area. The general characteristics do not have statistical significance between the Group I and the Group II(p>0.05). Second, regarding the ratio by the number of examinations, the Group I shows 37.0% for one examination and 63.0% for two examinations, while the Group IT indicates 30.3% for one examination and 69.7% for two examinations. The populations by the number of examinations do not have statistical difference between the two Groups(p>0.05). Third, regarding the time required for the reservation of examinations by the number of examinations, the Group I shows 9.8 minutes for one examination and 19.8 minutes for two examinations, with the average of 16.1 minutes. The Group IT indicates 19 minutes for one examinations and 25.7 minutes for two examinations, with the average of 23.7 minutes. Though the time required for the reservation by the number of examinations do not have statistical significance, the time required for the Group I was shortened. Fourth, regarding the time required for the reservation of examinations by the age range of patients, the Group I shows 21.7 minutes for 70-79 years of age, 17.5 minutes for 60-00 years of age, and 15.2 minutes for 30-39 years of age. The Group II indicates 27.2 minutes for 70-79 years of age, 26.3 minutes for 60-69 years of age, 24.4 minutes for 50-59 years of age, and 22.4 minutes for 30-39 years of age. The time required for the reservation gets longer as the age range moves up, and has statistical significance (p<0.05). Fifth, regarding the ratio by the range of time of required for reservation, the Group I shows 41.6% for 11-20 minutes, and 38.3% for 1-10 minutes, while the Group II indicates 43.9% for 11-20 minutes, 29% for 21-30 minutes, and 14.2% for 31-40 minutes. Statistical significance is revealed (p=0.001). Sixth, concerning the length of movement course by the number of examinations, the Group I shows 37 meters regardless of the number of examinations. The Group II indicates an average of 188 meters for one examination and 189 meters for two examinations, with the difference 151 meters between the Groups, and representing statistical significance (p=0.001). Based on the above findings. one-stop service contributes to the reduction of both the time and the movement course and therefore is considered to be beneficial to the patients, and the improve the efficiency of the hospitals in terms of the space and the time.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.106-123
• /
• 2000

The purpose of the survey was to clarify the clinical features and management of the anorectal malformations (ARM) in Korea. Twenty-seven members of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons were surveyed. The members completed a case registration form for each patient during the two years period of 1996-1997, and a questionnaire that contained their management preferences for primary and complicated patients. Twenty-four members of the 22 institutions registered 295 cases of the ARM, and 27 out of 34 members (77.1 %) responded to the questionnaire. The patients were classified by the Wingspread classification of ARM(1984). The case registration form was a modification of Wingspread workshop for the postoperative assessment and case registration. The male to female ratio was 1.7 : 1. The average number of patients per surgeon was 6.1 cases per year. Prematurity(< 36 weeks) was present in 1.9 % of cases and low birth weight (< 2.6 Kg) in 12.1 %. Among 187 male patients, 62 were high(H) type, 29 intermediate(l) type, 88 low(L), and 8 unclassified. In female, there were 2 cases of cloacal anomalies(C), 4 H type, 30 I type, 66 L type and 6 unclass ified. For male, 87.9 % of H and I type were operated by the Pena procedure, but only 7.9 % in L types. In female, all of C, H and I types, and 40.9 % of L type were done by the Pena procedure. One case expired (MR; 0.003%) as a result of surgical complication. Over-all complication rate was 12.5 %. Among 6 cases of reoperation, 4 were failed Pena procedures. Among 140 colostomies sigmoid colon was utilized in 75.7%, and loop colostomy was commonly used. Ten surgeons prefered primary maturation of the stoma. In conclusion, posterior sagittal anorectoplasty is popular for high types of ARM in this country, but considerable number of patients are still suffering from failed operations. For better understanding and analysis, necessity of prospective study by new classification was discussed.