• Health Policy and Management
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.195-212
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• 2011

Objectives: This study investigates the relationship between nurse staffing levels and differences in patient outcomes in terms of average length of stay, in-hospital mortality rate and 30-day death rate in order to evaluate the effectiveness of a policy that differentiates fees for inpatients on the basis of nurse-to-bed ratios. Methods: We obtained information on inpatients from health insurance claims data published by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service(HIRA) in 2008, organizational factors(type of hospital, ownership) from the records of the hospital report system in 2008, and nurse staffing levels, which were graded on a scale of 1 to 7, from data compiled between December 15, 2007, and September 20, 2008. The data were segregated according to type of hospital and quarter and finally 3,517 records of 1,182 hospitals were analyzed using multi-level analysis. Results: The average length of stay in grade 1~6 hospitals was lower than that in grade 7 ones, but the difference was much below one day. No significant difference was found among different grades in tertiary hospitals. Further, variations in staffing levels did not result in any significant difference in the in-hospital mortality rate and 30-day death rate. Conclusions: High nurse staffing levels did not result in better patient outcomes compared with low staffing levels. We therefore recommend modifying the above nurse staffing policy so as to make it more effective in improving patient outcomes.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2007

Objectives : Recent educational efforts have concentrated on patient's early hospital arrival after symptom onset. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time interval between symptom onset and hospital arrival and to investigate its relation with clinical outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods : A prospective registry of patients with signs or symptoms of acute ischemic stroke, admitted to the OO Medical Center through emergency room, was established from September 2003 to December 2004. The interval between symptom onset and hospital arrival was recorded for each eligible patient and analyzed together with clinical characteristics, medication type, severity of neurologic deficits, and functional outcomes. Results : Based on the data of 256 patients, the median interval between symptom onset and hospital arrival was 13 hours, and 22% of patients were admitted to the hospital within 3 hours after symptom onset. Patients of not-mild initial severity and functional status showed significant differences between arrival hours of 0-3 and later than 3 in terms of their functional outcomes on discharge. Logistic regression models also showed that arrival within 3 hours was a significant factor influencing functional outcome (OR=5.6; 95% CI=2.1, 15.0), in addition to patient's initial severity, old age, cardioembolism subtype, and referral to another hospital. Conclusions : The time interval between symptom onset and hospital arrival significantly influenced treatment outcome for patients with acute ischemic stroke, even after controlling for other significant clinical characteristics. The findings provided initiatives for early hospital arrival of patients and improvement of emergency medical system.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2017

Background: Many authors have evaluated the post-reduction result of nasal bone fracture through patient satisfaction or postoperative complications. However, these results are limited because they are subjective. The aim of this study was to correlate an objective operation result with patient satisfaction and postoperative complications according to the type of nasal bone fractures. Methods: Our study included 313 patients who had isolated nasal bone fractures and had undergone a closed reduction. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated objectively using computed tomographic (CT) images, while patient satisfaction was evaluated one month after the operation. The correlation of the operation result with patient satisfaction was then evaluated. Results: The correlation between the operation result and patient satisfaction was highest for the lateral impact group type I (LI) type of fracture and lowest for the comminuted fracture group (C) type of fracture. However, there were no statistically significant differences in correlation between the overall result and patient satisfaction by fracture type. The complication rate of lateral impact group type II (LII), C, and frontal impact group type I (FI) fractures were statistically significantly higher than that of frontal impact group type II (FII) and LI fractures. There were no statistically significant relationships between the prevalence of complications and septal fracture or deviation according to the fracture type. In the total group, however, there was a statistically significant difference in complication rate by septal fracture. Conclusion: We found that the CT outcomes correlated with patient satisfaction. The complication rate of LII, C, and FI fractures were statistically significantly higher than that of FII and LI fractures. Septal fracture/deviation increased the postoperative complication in the total group.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.691-702
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• 2001

Objectives : This study was done to assess the effects of the clinical interchange between the Western Medicine and the Oriental Medicine for ischemic stroke patients. The patient outcomes include changes in neurologic function by modified NIH stoke scale, stroke pattern identification scale, and patient satisfaction, Methods : For the assessment of effects, this study was performed with 178 inpatients who had undergone the stroke care at three hospitals (W Hospital adopted western therapy, S Oriental Hospital adopted Sasang constitution medicine therapy, and H Oriental Hospital adopted mixed therapy according to a joint protocol on Western Oriental medical care) from November 1997 to December 1998. Patients were interviewed or written with self-entered questionnaire forms, and clinical data were obtained, Physicians or oriental doctors wrote clinical questionnaire forms according to the care process. Results : The patient outcomes within three hospitals at 2 stages (at admission and discharge in the modified NIH stroke scale. at admission and second weeks during admission in the stroke pattern identification scale) were found to be decreased, Especially in the results of hierarchical multiple regression analysis, the degree of improvement of modified NIH stroke scale of the stroke patients at W Hospital was significant large than it at S Oriental Hospital. Also, the degree of improvement of stroke pattern identification scale at W Hospital was significantly large than it at other two hospitals. However, the patient's satisfaction score at three hospitals wasn't significantly different. Conclusions : The result of this study suggested that the joint clinical research of Western & Oriental medical practitioners was possible even if there was a conflict between Western Medicine and Oriental Medicine. Therefore Western & Oriental medical practitioners share a mutual responsibility to apply evidence-based practice, to seek scientific empirical proof through randomized clinical trials between the multicenter.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.414-425
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• 2024

Objective: This study aims to explore the opinions on the insurance coverage of artificial intelligence (AI), as categorized based on the distinct value elements offered by AI, with a specific focus on patient-centered outcomes (PCOs). PCOs are distinguished from traditional clinical outcomes and focus on patient-reported experiences and values such as quality of life, functionality, well-being, physical or emotional status, and convenience. Materials and Methods: We classified the value elements provided by AI into four dimensions: clinical outcomes, economic aspects, organizational aspects, and non-clinical PCOs. The survey comprised three sections: 1) experiences with PCOs in evaluating AI, 2) opinions on the coverage of AI by the National Health Insurance of the Republic of Korea when AI demonstrated benefits across the four value elements, and 3) respondent characteristics. The opinions regarding AI insurance coverage were assessed dichotomously and semi-quantitatively: non-approval (0) vs. approval (on a 1-10 weight scale, with 10 indicating the strongest approval). The survey was conducted from July 4 to 26, 2023, using a web-based method. Responses to PCOs and other value elements were compared. Results: Among 200 respondents, 44 (22%) were patients/patient representatives, 64 (32%) were industry/developers, 60 (30%) were medical practitioners/doctors, and 32 (16%) were government health personnel. The level of experience with PCOs regarding AI was low, with only 7% (14/200) having direct experience and 10% (20/200) having any experience (either direct or indirect). The approval rate for insurance coverage for PCOs was 74% (148/200), significantly lower than the corresponding rates for other value elements (82.5%-93.5%; P ≤ 0.034). The approval strength was significantly lower for PCOs, with a mean weight ± standard deviation of 5.1 ± 3.5, compared to other value elements (P ≤ 0.036). Conclusion: There is currently limited demand for insurance coverage for AI that demonstrates benefits in terms of non-clinical PCOs.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to determine whether the published AMI report card could reduce in-patient mortality, 7-day after discharge mortality, and length of stay (LOS). Methods : Interrupted time-series intervention analysis was used to evaluate the impact of the report card for AMI care quality in November 2005 in terms of risk-adjusted in-patient mortality, risk-adjusted 7-day after discharge mortality, and DRGs case-mix LOS using the claim data of Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Results : Public disclosure of AMI care quality decreased risk-adjusted in-patient mortality and DRGs case-mix LOS by 0.00050% per month and 0.042 days per month respectively, however there was no effect on risk-adjusted 7-day after discharge mortality. Patterns of effect of public disclosure on AMI outcomes were a fluctuating pattern on risk-adjusted mortalities and a pulse impact for 1 month on DRGs case-mix LOS. Conclusions : We found the public disclosure of AMI care quality had decreasing effects on risk-adjusted in-patient mortality and DRGs case-mix LOS, but the size of the effect was marginal.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.127-138
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• 2005

Purpose : This study was designed to establish safety and efficacy of using herbal medicine in pregnancy and to investigate patient's treatment satisfaction. Methods : We investigated general pregnancy outcomes of twenty-five gynecological outpatients who visited Dongguk univ. Kangnam Oriental Hospital, from July 1, 2002 through December 31, 2004 and have taken herbal medicine in pregnancy. Additionally we investigated newborn's growth status and patient's treatment satisfaction. Results : The rate of normal delivery of patients used herbal medicine for diseases that possibility of abortion is not high was 100% and there was no malformation in normally delivered 21 cases. Most of Newborn's growth status was normal and the average score of patient's satisfaction was 3.5(absolutely satisfied=5). Conclusion : The results of this study show safety and efficacy of using herbal medicine in pregnancy. And In the future, It is thought that more exactly constructed clinical survey need to be carried out.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.495-503
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• 2020

Objective : Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-secreting pituitary adenoma (PA) is an extremely rare functioning form of PA that accounts for 0.7-2% of all such cases. The previously reported outcomes of the surgical removal of TSH-PA are poor. Owing to its extremely low incidence, most available reports on TSH-PA are case reports or small case series. Thus, we investigated the clinical and endocrinological outcomes of surgically treated TSH-PA through our institutional series. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 14 consecutive cases of surgically treated TSH-PA, focusing on the clinical, radiological, surgical, and endocrinological data. Results : There were seven male (50%) and seven female (50%) patients. The mean age was 42.5 years (range, 19-63). The mean tumor size was 16.6 mm (range, 4-30). Optic chiasm compression was noted in six patients (42.9%), and no patient showed cavernous sinus invasion. Thirteen of 14 patients (92.8%) underwent transnasal transsphenoidal approach (TSA), and one patient underwent TSA followed by transcranial approach for residual tumor removal. Thirteen of 14 patients (92.8%) showed endocrinological remission; all patients who experienced remission showed subnormal levels of TSH (<0.4 μU/mL) on postoperative day 2. Recurrence occurred in two patients (14.2%). One patient underwent subsequent revision transnasal TSA for recurrent tumor removal, and the other patient underwent gamma knife radiosurgery for recurrence. Conclusion : Surgical treatment showed excellent surgical outcomes. The TSH level in the immediate postoperative period may be a predictor for endocrinological remission.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1274-1282
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• 2013

With the reinforcement in patient's rights and safety, simulation-based learning is getting popular in nursing education. Therefore, The purpose of this study was to identify the outcomes and satisfaction of simulation-based learning in nursing on patient with UGI bleeding. Participants of this study were 77 second year nursing students who never experienced simulation-based learning. The collected data was analyzed by using SPSS Statistics 18.0. Frequencies, % for general characteristics and satisfaction in simulation, and paired t-test for learning outcomes in simulation were used. Confidence on clinical performance, satisfaction in simulation significantly increased by simulation-based learning. The applying the simulation-based learning is a practical alternative to patient safety and nursing students were satisfied. Well trained and educated instructors are the first line rather than facilities for the quality of learning.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.391-397
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• 2011

Purpose: The injection of various materials, including medical fillers and unregulated products, is widespread, potentially causing the development of foreign body granulomas. Should this occur on the nose, the contour deformity and inflammatory signs that result from these granulomas are aesthetically undesirable to patients. The purpose of our study is to share our experiences using different surgical approaches, depending on the affected portion of the nose, to optimize management of this challenging problem and to evaluate patient's satisfaction using our in-house questionnaire along with degree of improvement by two independent plastic surgeons. Methods: We treated 18 patients who underwent surgical excision of nasal foreign body granulomas via a perilesional approach to the lesion (n=12) or by transcolumellar incision (n=6) at our hospital over a period of seven years from March 2003 to October 2010. Nonparametric statistics were used and are presented as medians (25th-75th). Patient satisfaction was evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5 using an in-house questionnaire. All pre-and post-operative photographs were analyzed by two independent plastic surgeons. Post-operative outcomes were evaluated based on the surgeons' consensus ratings. Results: All patients receiving the transcolumellar approach reported a high level of satisfaction with the results. All but two patients who received the perilesional approach were satisfied with the outcome. No outcomes were rated as no change or worse by the consensus ratings. Conclusion: For the upper two-thirds of the nose, perilesional surgical excision can lead to substantial patient satisfaction with modified contour deformity and infection control. The transcolumellar approach resulted in better outcomes and patient satisfaction for the lower one-third of the nose.