• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.383-396
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the inpatients' perception of therapeutic-diets and of explanation about those diets provided by hospitals and satisfaction on therapeutic-diets at hospitals in Busan. The subjects consisted of 155 inpatients at five hospitals, which all had over 400 beds. The research was performed through the interviewing process using questionnaires. Seventy five percent of patients had received an explanation for their therapeutic-diet and 57.4% of respondents were given a manual that explained the reason for the therapeutic-diet. The professionals who explained the therapeutic-diet was 61.7% dietitians and 25.6% doctors. 59.4% of the patients considered the dietitian to be suitable for explaining the diet and 25.6% patients believed the doctor to be suitable for explaining the diet. In terms of the patients' perception of the therapeutic-diet explanation, 74.5% of the patients understood very well, 78.9% of them perceived this explanation as very important, and 67.5% of them were satisfied. On a scale of 5.00 for therapeutic-diet satisfaction, the average scores were 2.95 for meal characteristics and 3.06 for service characteristics. The items that scored low in therapeutic-diet satisfaction were taste, seasoning and appearance of meals, provision of selective menu and consideration of personal preference. In terms of the perception of understanding the therapeutic-diet, patients who were provided a manual and an explanation gave high scores to 'taste', 'variety of diet', 'meeting opportunity with dietitians', and 'prompt dealing with meal complications'. There was a significant (p<0.05) positive correlation between satisfaction for the explanation of the therapeutic-diet and the degree of perceived benefits of the explanation to the nutrition-management and the satisfaction on the therapeutic-diet satisfaction. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that hospitals should increase support for explaining the therapeutic-diet by dietitians and develop menus based on the patients' preference and the taste of the meal.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.351-359
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the factors that affect the length of stay in hospital for schizophrenic patients. Of the data from the in-depth injury patient surveillance system, the final subject included 2,239 patients with schizophrenia in their final diagnosis. Using SPSS 18.0, a hierarchical regression analysis was performed by sequentially entering the explanatory variables by setting sociodemographic characteristics, discharge characteristics and hospital characteristics as explanatory variables and the length of stay in hospital as a dependent variable. The findings showed that the sociodemographic characteristics had the highest explanatory power and the explanatory power changed when the explanatory variable of the hospital characteristics was added, as opposed to the discharge characteristics. Male, type-1 medicaid, Chungcheong-do and the number of beds were found to be the factors that mostly affect the length of stay. Since this study used the secondary data, it has a limitation in terms of additional variables that could better explain the length of stay for schizophrenic patients. Nevertheless, it has an implication in that it investigated a large scale of data on a national level. For the effort of reducing the length of stay, it is suggested that an effort should be made at the national level, by focusing more on the hospital characteristics as well as the individual characteristics of patients.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.249-259
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• 2020

Purpose: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are associated with considerable mortality. This study was aimed to identify survival factors among medical care unit patients with CPE. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort; data were collected from September 2017 to June 2019 through electronic medical records. The data collected were general characteristics, disease-related characteristics, severity-related characteristics, and treatment-related characteristics. Data were analyzed based on frequency, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Cox proportional hazard model using SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. Results: Seventy-seven patients were included (59 survivors and 18 deceased) in the study. Univariate analysis identified factors for survival associated with acquired CPE as age (t= -1.56, p= .037), simplified acute physiology 3 (SAPS3) score of admission date (t= -2.85, p= .006), Glasgow coma scale (GCS) of CPE acquisition date (t= 2.38, p= .020), artery catheter at CPE acquisition date (χ²= 4.58, p= .032), vasoconstrictor agents use at CPE acquisition date (χ²= 6.81, p= .009), platelet at CPE acquisition date (t= 2.27, p= .025), lymphocyte at CPE acquisition date (t= 2.01, p= .048), calcium at CPE acquisition date (t= 2.68, p= .009), albumin at CPE acquisition date (t= 2.29, p= .025), and creatinine at CPE acquisition date (t= 2.24, p= .028). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model showed that GCS at CPE acquisition date (HR= 1.14, 95% CI= 1.05-1.22), lymphocyte at CPE acquisition date (HR= 1.05, 95% CI= 1.00-1.10), and creatinine at CPE acquisition date (HR= 1.25, 95% CI= 1.04-1.49) were independent survival factors among medical intensive care unit patients with CPE. Conclusion: Based on the study results, it is necessary to develop nursing interventions that can aid in the management of patients with CPE and identify their effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4531-4536
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• 2015

Objective: To investigate the influence of offspring-related characteristics on the prevalence of depressive disorders among cancer patients and those who survived cancer for at least 45 years. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). To investigate the association between offspring and depressive disorder among cancer patients and survivors, we analyzed data from 292 cancer patients and survivors drawn from a total subject pool of 16,613 individuals at baseline. Results: According to our results, the odds ratio (OR) for subjects with five or more offspring developing depressive disorder was -0.794 (p-value: 0.039, SE: 0.329) compared with that of those with two offspring. In addition, the adjusted effect of the number of male and female offspring on the presence of depressive disorder showed that the OR for those with three or more female offspring for developing depressive disorder was -0.958 lower (SE: 0.305, p-value: 0.012) than it was for those with no female offspring. Conclusions: This article provides evidence for an association between offspring-related characteristics and depressive disorders among cancer patients and survivors. Therefore, offspring may be important contributors to the emotional status of cancer patients and survivors. Further study should precisely need to measure depressive disorders because of self-reported data.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.92-101
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• 2015

Objectives: Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a diagnostic tool for assessing the function of the autonomic nervous system. Although studies on the HRV characteristics of the cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet have been done, no study has compared HRV characteristics of cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet patients to that of normal Korean women. For this reason, this study compared the HRV characteristics of cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet patients and normal Korean women. Methods: We studied 130 cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet patients who visited Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong from 01 March 2011 to 11 August 2013. We measured HRV of Each patient. Patients are divided into under 29 years old, 30~39 years old, 40~49 years old and over 50 years old with age. Patient's HRV results are compared to that of normal Korean women in each age group. Results: In each age group, cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet patients' LF/HF was statistically lower than that of normal Korean women. Conclusions: HRV characteristics and symptoms of cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet is similar to that of cold induced vasodilation (CIVD). So, cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet can be considered as abnormal condition that CIVD is continued. More studies on measuring of blood flow of cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet patients are necessary.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.18-29
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• 2000

Back injury is frequent in industry workers and is a common cause of productivity loss. It has been reported that the insured of industrial accident insurance tend to stay in hospital longer than that of other types of insurance. The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting the length of hospital stay for the treatment of back injury in the workers under industrial accident insurance. The results of this study help insurers develop reasonable industrial accident insurance policy for back injury claims and prevention strategies of work-related back injury. A total of 2,949 patients whose industrial accident insurance claim has been approved for the treatment of work-related back injury from January to December 1999 were included in this study. Relationship between the length of hospital stay and characteristics of patient, work place, back injury, and hospital were assessed using ANOVA, t-test, simple linear regression and multiple resgression. The major findings of this study are as follows : 1. The average length of hospital stay(LOS) was 91.82 days, respectively. 2. Characteristics of Patient LOS of male patients was longer than that of female patients, there was positive correlation between age and LOS and between average wage and LOS. Working period was negatively correlated with LOS. Distance from resident to hospital was positively correlated with LOS and LOS was significantly different dependign on type of duty. 3. Characteristics of Work Place LOS was significantly different depending on types of industry and geographical region of work place. Size of work place was positively correlated with LOS. 4. Characteristics of Back Injury Occupational back pain required shorter LOS compared with back injury due to electric shock. Number of concomitant illnesses and severity of disability were positively correlated with LOS. 5. Characteristics of Hospital Patients treated in community hospitals required significantly longer LOS. Treatment in hospitals with rehabilitation program required decreased LOS. This was more prominent as number of physicians specialized in rehabilitation. 6. Multiple regression analysis revealed that distance form resident to hospital, geographical region of work place, size of work place, number of concomitant illnesses, severity of disability, and type of hospital were factors affecting LOS.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.277-293
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• 1997

This study was conducted to provide basic materials required to enforce and develop welfare policies, as well as the health system, for the aged, by surveying the status of health care utilized by the daily increasing old population and the importance of receiving physical therapy. Data that need in this research was gathered from over ages of 65, during the period from Jan 4, 1996 to Jan 31, using the inquiries previously made by geriatric researchers and through literatures investigator by this writer. The data were analyzed by $X^2$, Z-test, Likert scale. The findings were as follows : 1) General characteristics of subjects. People in the age group between 65 and 69 were 55.6% and the highest number, while male were 37% and female 63%. Analysis of income group disclosed 60.6% whose monthly income, including the pocket money given by children, was less than 200,000 won. 91.1% of the elderly people surveyed owned houses; only 36.4% live with spouses; while 15.6% live alone. 2) Characteristics with respect to utilization of health care institution. 56% of the total medical institutions used by the elderly people were clinics and the rates of chronic disease and musculoskeletal disease were 73.2%. 3) Characteristics with respect to approach of health care institution. 45.1% of the respondent stated it took 20 minutes to arrive at hospital, and bus accounted for 48.6% of all transportation means used to go to hospital. 4) Degree of cognition with respect to the rights of geriatric patients. (1) There is no financial support from the government for geriatric patients(71.4%). (2) Government financial support is needed for geriatric patients(95.3%). (3) Have never been regionally surveyed or called upon for interviews with respect to treatment desire and problems relating to geriatric patients(87.2%). (4) Health and medical policies for geriatric patients must be established rapidly(98.4). (5) Expansion and construction of specialized medical facilities for geriatric patients such as elderly hospital and medical center are needed(90.2%). (6) Government's welfare policies for the elderly people is insufficient(82.0%) 5) Degree of cognition on importance of physical therapy with respect to geriatric patient. (1) Physical therapy is considered most effective in treating geriatric patients(82.9%). (2) Physical therapists specializing in only elderly people must be need of separately(76.2%). (3) It is desirable for medical specialists to visit geriatric patients at home to provide physical therapy(82.9%). (4) Hospitals specializing in physical therapy for geriatric patient are required(85.6%). Based on the result for this research, the following suggestions are presented to facilitate the utilization of health care institution for the welfare of geriatric patients. Medical facilities such as elderly hospital and geriatric patient's medical center specializing in elderly people must be constructed as early as possible; and home-visiting physical therapist system must be important to treat chronic geriatric patients; our government must establish policies to provide the old ages with means for the health care and curing chronic diseases, and carry out the plans of reasonable distribution and effective untilization of medical resources.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.584-589
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• 2016

Objective : A rare subtype of meningioma, sclerosing meningioma is not included in the current World Health Organization classification of meningiomas and is classified into the category of other morphological variation subtypes. Sclerosing meningioma is often misdiagnosed to other non-benign meningioma or malignant neoplasm, so it is important to diagnose sclerosing type correctly. We analyzed the radiological and clinical characteristics of a series of sclerosing meningiomas. Methods : Twenty-one patients who underwent surgery in one institute with a histopathologically proven sclerosing meningioma were included from 2006 to 2014. Eighteen tumors were diagnosed as a pure sclerosing-type meningioma, and 3 as mixed type. Magnetic resonance image was taken for all patients including contrast enhancement image. Computed tomography (CT) scan was taken for 16 patients. One neuroradiologist and 1 neurosurgeon reviewed all images retrospectively. Results : In the all 16 patients with preoperative CT images, higher attenuation was observed in the meningioma than in the brain parenchyma, and calcification was observed in 11 (69%). In 15 of the 21 patients (71%), a distinctive very low signal intensity appeared as a dark color in T2-weighted images. Nine of these 15 tumors (60%) exhibited heterogeneous enhancement, and 6 (40%) exhibited homogeneous enhancement that was unlike the homogeneous enhancing pattern shown by conventional meningiomas. Ten patients had a clear tumor margin without peritumoral edema. Conclusion : Although these peculiar radiological characteristics are not unique to sclerosing meningioma, we believe that they are distinctive features that may be helpful for distinguishing sclerosing meningioma from other subtypes.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.66-74
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigates the characteristics and prognosis of acute poisoning patients visiting nationwide emergency departments before and after the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Data were obtained from the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS). Methods: This nationwide retrospective observational study included acute poisoning patients who visited the emergency departments between February 1 to December 31, 2020, which has been determined as the pandemic period. The same periods in 2018 and 2019 were designated as the control periods. The primary outcome assessed was the length of stay in emergency departments (EDLOS). The secondary outcomes examined were intensive care unit admission rate and in-hospital mortality rate before and after the pandemic. A subgroup analysis was performed for inpatients and intentional poisoning patients. Results: A total of 163,560 patients were included in the study. During the pandemic, the proportion of women increased from 50.0% in 2018 and 50.3% in 2019 to 52.5% in 2020. Patients aged 20-29 years increased from 13.4% in 2018 and 13.9% in 2019 to 16.6% in 2020. A rise in cases of intentional poisoning was also noted - from 33.9% in 2018 and 34.0% in 2019 to 38.4% in 2020. Evaluating the hospitalized poisoned patients revealed that the EDLOS increased from 3.8 hours in 2018 and 3.7 hours in 2019 to 4.2 hours in 2020. ICU admissions were also markedly increased (2018, 48.2%; 2019, 51.8%; 2020, 53.2%) among hospitalized patients. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of acute poisoning patients visiting nationwide emergency departments in Korea. The proportion of young adults, women, and intentional poisoning patients has increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. Prolonged length of stay at the emergency department and an increased rate of intensive care unit admissions were determined in hospitalized acute poisoning patients.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.35-45
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• 2021

Background: As a descriptive study targeting 2,068 cancer patients as men of national merit in 2013, this study aims to provide the basic data for systematizing the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer by comparatively analyzing the 5-year survival rate. Methods: This study researched the survival of cancer patients through Electronic Medical Record and Patriots-Veterans Qualification Program, targeting 2,068 newly-diagnosed cancer patients verified in five veterans hospitals and consigned management system. This study verified differences between general characteristics of cancer patients as men of national merit and analyzed their survival rate. Results: The cancer patients as men of national merit were super-aged as their average age was 72.5. In the analysis of general characteristics of five major prevalent cancers, there were statistically significant differences according to age, region, cancer diagnostic path, differentiation, diagnostic method, treatment method, SEER stage, and survival period, except for the types of the man of national merit (p<0.001). The whole survival rate of cancer patients as men of national merit was 50%. The 5-year survival rates of predisposing cancers were shown as prostate cancer (79%), colorectal cancer (64%), gastric cancer (57%), liver cancer (32%), and lung cancer (12%). In the cancer diagnostic path, all the predisposing cancers showed the highest survival rate in medical examination. In the treatment method, the surgery showed the highest survival rate. The cancer patients as men of national merit showed a lower survival rate than the general cancer patients of Korea. Conclusion: It would be needed to guarantee the honorable and happy life through health recovery as special treatment of contribution and sacrifice of super-aged men of national merit by increasing the cancer survival rates through regular checkup, early diagnosis, and high-quality treatment system that could have important effects on the survival rate according to the occurrence of cancers.