• Title/Summary/Keyword: the Use of Medical Care

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A Trial of Aerosolized Colistin for the Treatment of Nosocomial Pneumonia due to Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (다제내성 A. baumannii에 의한 병원획득폐렴에서 Colistin 분무치료의 시도)

  • Kim, Changhwan;Kim, Dong-Gyu;Kang, Hye-Ryun;Choi, Jeong-Hee;Lee, Chang Youl;Hwang, Yong Il;Shin, Tae Rim;Park, Sang Myeon;Park, Yong Bum;Lee, Jae Young;Jang, Seung Hun;Kim, Cheol Hong;Mo, Eun Kyung;Lee, Myung Goo;Hyun, In-Gyu;Jung, Ki-Suck;Choi, Young-Jin;Lee, Jae Woong
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.64 no.2
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    • pp.102-108
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    • 2008
  • Background: Recently, multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii has been implicated for a significant proportion of nosocominal pneumonia in many intensive care units (ICUs), and its acquisition may increase mortality and the length of stay in the ICU. Aerosolized colistin has been successfully used in patients with cystic fibrosis, but there is a lack of data regarding the use of aerosolized colistin in patients with nosocomial pneumonia. Methods: We conducted the present study to assess the effectiveness of aerosolized colistin for the treatment of MDR A. baumannii nosocomial pneumonia. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 10 patients who had been hospitalized in the medical ICU and had received aerosolized colistin as a therapy for MDR A. baumannii pneumonia. Results: The mean duration of aerosolized colistin therapy was $12.7{\pm}2.4$ days. Nine (90%) of 10 patients showed a favorable response to the therapy. Follow-up cultures were available for all patients, and the responsible pathogen was completely eradicated. One patient suffered from bronchospasm, which resolved after treatment with nebulized salbutamol. Conclusion: Our results corroborate previous reports that aerosolized colistin may be an effective and safe choice for the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia caused by MDR A. baumannii. Larger prospective controlled clinical studies are warranted to validate further the effectiveness and safety of aerosolized colistin therapy.

Catch-up growth and development of very low birth weight infants (극소저출생체중아의 따라잡기 성장 및 발달평가)

  • Ma, Tae Ho;Kim, Kyung Ah;Ko, Sun Young;Lee, Yeon Kyung;Shin, Son Moon
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.49 no.1
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    • pp.29-33
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    • 2006
  • Purpose : The aim of this study was to analyze the results and contributing factors of catch-up growth in very low birth weight infants(VLBWI) at the corrected age of 2 years. In addition, we looked for a relationship between the catch-up growth and the development by the bayley scales of infant development II(BSID II). Methods : A retrospective analysis by evaluating medical records was done for the 76 VLBWI whose follow-up was possible up to a corrected age of 2 years, out of the 114 who had been treated in the neonatal intensive care unit during the January of 2000 to December of 2001 at Samsung Cheil Hospital. Based on the Standard Korean Infant's Growth Curve, the catch-up growth group was defined over the 10th percentile of weight at 2 years as the corrected age and the failed catch-up growth group was defined under the 10th percentile. We investigated the clinical factors and courses of each group and compared the scores of the BSID II. Results : The catch-up growth group of the VLBWI was 51 infants and the failed catch-up growth group was 25 infants. In comparison with maternal clinical factors, use of antenatal steroids was significantly higher in the catch-up growth group. In comparisn with clinical factors and courses of VLBWI, two clinical factors were significantly different between the two groups : birth weight and intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR). Numbers of delayed development were increased in the failed catch-up growth group but statistically significant differences could not be observed. Conclusion : The catch-up growth of the VLBWI was affected by the use of antenatal steroids, birth weight and IUGR. No significant differences regarding neurodevelopmental outcome were observed between the catch-up and failed catch-up growth groups.

Outcomes in Relation to Time of Tracheostomy in Patients with Mechanical Ventilation (기계호흡환자의 기관절개 시행 시기에 따른 결과 분석)

  • Shin, Jeong-Eun;Shin, Tae-Rim;Park, Young-Mi;Nam, Jun-Sik;Cheon, Seon-Hee;Chang, Jung-Hyun
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.47 no.3
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    • pp.365-373
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    • 1999
  • Background: Despite widespread use of tracheostomy in intensive care unit, it is still controversial to define the best timing from endotracheal intubation to tracheostomy under prolonged mechanical ventilation. Early tracheostomy has an advantage of easy airway maintenance and enhanced patient mobility whereas a disadvantage in view of nosocomial infection and tracheal stenosis. However, there is a controversy about the proper timing of tracheostomy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of the 35 medical and 15 surgical ICU patients who had admitted to Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital from January 1996 to August 1998 with the observation of APACHE III score, occurrence of nosocomial infections, and clinical outcomes during 28 days from tracheostomy in terms of early (n=25) vs. late (n=25) tracheostomy. We defined the reference day of early and late tracheostomy as 7th day from intubation. Results: The number of patients were 25 each in early and late tracheostomy group. The mean age were $48{\pm}18$ years in early tracheostomy group and $63{\pm}17$ years in late tracheostomy group, showing younger in early tracheostomy group. The median duration of intubation prior to tracheostomy was 3 days and 13 days in early and late tracheostomy groups. Organs that caused primary problem were nervous system in 27 cases(54%), pulmonary 14(28%), cardiovascular 4(8%), gastrointestinal 4(8%) and genitourinary 1(2%) in the decreasing order. Prolonged ventilation was the most common reason for the purpose of tracheostomy in both groups. APACHE m scores at each time of intubation and tracheostomy were slightly higher in late tracheostomy group but not significant statistically. Day to day APACHE III scores were not different between two groups with observation upto 7th day after tracheostomy, Occurrence of nosocomial infections, weaning from mechanical ventilation, and mortality showed no significant difference between two groups with observation of 28 days from tracheostomy. The mortality was increased as the APACHE m score upto 7 days after tracheostomy increased, but there were no increment for the mortality in terms of the time of tracheostomy and the days of ventilator use before tracheostomy, Conclusion: The early tracheostomy seems to have no benefit with respect to severity of illness, nosocomial infection, duration of ventilatory support, and mortality. It suggests that the time of tracheostomy is better to be decided on clinical judgement in each case. And in near future, prospective, randomized case-control study is required to confirm these results.

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Clinical Use and Complications of Percutaneous Central Venous Catheterization in Very Low Birth Weight Infants (극소 저출생 체중아에서 경피 중심정맥 도관의 유용성과 합병증)

  • Kim, Hyang;Kim, Sun Hui;Byun, Hyung Suck;Choi, Young Youn
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.48 no.9
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    • pp.953-959
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    • 2005
  • Purpose : The administration of total parenteral nutrition(TPN) has become a standard procedure in the management of nutritionally deprived and critically low birth weight neonates. Sepsis remains the most frequent serious complication during TPN, resulting in increased morbidity, mortality and health care costs. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and complications of percutaneous central venous catheterization(PCVC) in very low birth weight infants. Methods : A total of 56 very low birth weight infants below 1,500 g during the period from January 1998 to December 2003 were enrolled and their medical records reviewed. Study group(n=32) included the babies who had undergone PCVC and a control group(n=24) included babies who had not undergone PCVC. We compared the study group with the control group for factors such as subject characteristics and catheter-related complications. Results : There was no difference in subject characteristics, such as birth weight, gestational week, respiratory distress syndrome, duration of ventilator therapy, duration from tube to complete oral feeding, days at TPN and its total duration, body weight at discontinuation of TPN and the days taken to reach to 2,000 g. However, the morbidity rate due to patent ductus arterious, chronic lung disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, osteopenia, cholestasis, and sepsis showed no difference. The study group with infants below 1,000 g showed a higher incidence of sepsis compared to the control group of the same weight group. The study group with infants between 1,000 to 1,500 g showed significantly higher incidences of intraventricular hemorrhage and took longer reach the a body weight of 2,000 g. Conclusion : Considering the high incidence of sepsis in the PCVC group, every attempt should be made to minimize the length of TPN therapy and encourage early enteral feeding. We also recommend the use of PCVC carefully in patients requiring prolonged nutritional support.

『황제내경소문(黃帝內經素問)·칠편대론(七篇大論)』 왕빙 주본(注本)을 통(通)한 운기학설(運氣學說) 관(關)한 연구(硏究)

  • Kim, Gi-Uk;Park, Hyeon-Guk
    • The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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    • v.4
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    • pp.109-140
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    • 1995
  • As we considered in the main subjects, investigations on the theory of 'Doctrine on five elements' motion and six kinds of natural factors(運氣學說)' through 'Wang Bing's Commentary(王氷 注本)' of 'The seven great chapters in The Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic Su Wen' ("黃帝內經素問 七篇大論") are as follows. (1) In The seven great chapters("七篇大論")' Wang Bing supplement theory and in the academic aspects as a interpreter, judging from 'forget(亡)' character. expressed in the 'The missing chapters("素問遺篇")', 'Bonbyung-ron("本病論")' and 'Jabeob-ron(刺法論)', 'The seven great chapters("七篇大論")' must be supplementary work by Wang Bing. Besides, he quoted such forty books as medical books, taoist books, confucianist books, miscellaneous books, etc in the commentary and the contents quoted in the 'Su Wen(素問)' and 'Ling Shu("靈樞")' scripture nearly occupy in the book. As a method of interpreting scripiure as scripture, he edited the order of 'Internal Classic("內經")' ascended from the ancient time and when he compensated for commentary, with exhaustive scholarly mind and by observing the natural phenomena practically and writing the pathology and the methods of treatment. We knew that the book is combined with the study of 'Doctrine on five elements motion and six kinds of natural factors(運氣學說)' (2) When we compare, analyze the similar phrase of 'The seven great chapters in The Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic Su Wen'("黃帝內經素問ㆍ七篇大論") through 'Wang Bing's Commentary(王氷 注本)', he tells abouts organized 'five elements(五行)' and 'heaven's regularly movement(天道運行)' rather than 'Emyangengsangdae-ron("陰陽應象大論")' in 'The seven great chapters("七篇大論")'. Also the 'Ohanunhangdae-ron("五運行大論")' because the repeated sentences with 'Emyangengsangdae-ron("陰陽應象大論")' is long they are omitted. And in the 'Youkmijidae-ron("六微旨大論")', 'Cheonjin ideology(天眞四象)' based on the 'Sanggocheonjin- ron("上古天眞論")', 'Sagijosindae-ron("四氣調神大論")' is written and in the 'Gigoupyondae-ron("氣交變大論")', the syndrome and symptom are explained in detail rather than 'Janggibeobsi-ron("藏氣法時論")', 'Okgijinjang-ron ("玉機眞藏論")' and in the 'Osangieongdae-ron("五常政大論")', the concept of 'five element(五行)' of the 'Gemgwejineon-ron("金櫃眞言論")' is expanded to 'the five elements' motion concept(五運槪念)' and in the 'Youkwonjeonggidae-ron("六元正紀大論")', explanations of 'The five elements' motion and six kinds of natural factors(運氣)' function are mentioned mainly and instead systematic pathology is not revealed rather than 'Emyangengsangdae-ron("陰陽應象大論")'. And in the 'Jijinyodae-ron("至眞要大論")', explanations of the change of atmosphere which correspond to treatment principle by 'The three Yin and Yang(三陰三陽)' as a progressed concepts are revealed. Therefore there are much similarity between the phrase of 'Emyangengsangdae-ron("陰陽應象大論")' and 'chapters of addition(補缺之篇)'. Generally, the doctrine which 'The seven great chapters("七篇大論")' are added by Wang Bing(王氷) is supported because there are more profound concepts rather than the other chapter in 'The seven great chapters("七篇大論")'. (3) When we study Wang Bing's(王氷) 'Pattern on five elements motion and six kinds of natural factors(運氣格局)' in 'The seven great chapter("七篇大論")', in the 'Cheonwongi-dae-ron("天元紀大論")', With 'Cheonjin ideology(天眞思想)' and the concepts of 'Owang(旺)'${\cdot}$'Sang(相)'${\cdot}$'Sa(死)'${\cdot}$'Su(囚)'${\cdot}$'Hu(休)' and 'Cheonbu(天符)'${\cdot}$'Sehwoi(歲會)' are measured time-spacially to the concept of 'Three Sum(三合)' the concept of 'Taeulcheonbu(太乙天符)' is explained. In the 'Ounhangdae-ron("五運行大論")', 'The calender Signs five Sum(天干五合)' is compared to the concepts of 'couples(夫婦)', 'weak-strong(柔强)' and in the 'Youkmijidae-ron("六微旨大論")', 'the relationship of obedience and disobedience(順逆關係)' which conform to the 'energy status(氣位)' change and 'monarch-minister(君相)' position is mentioned. In the 'Gikyobyeondae-ron("氣交變大論")', the concept of 'Sang-duk(相得)', 'Pyungsang(平常)' is emphasized but concrete measurement is mentioned. In the 'Osangieongdae-ron("五常政大論")', the detailed explanation with twenty three 'systemic of the five elements' motion(五運體系)' form and 'rountine-contrary treatment(正治. 反治)' with 'chill-fever-warm-cold(寒${\cdot}$${\cdot}$${\cdot}$凉)' are mentioned according to the 'analyse and differentiate pathological conditions in accordance with the eight principal syndromes(八綱辨證)'. In the 'Youkwonjeonggidae-ron("六元正紀大論")', Wang Bing of doesn't mention the concepts of 'Jungwun(中運)' that is seen in the original classic. In the new corrective edition, as the concepts of 'Jungwun, Dongcheonbu, Dongsehae and Taeulcheonbu(中運, 同天符, 同歲會, 太乙天符)' is appeared, Wang Bing seems to only use the concepts of 'Daewun, Juwun, and Gaekwun(大運, 主運, 客運)'. In the 'Jijinyodaeron("至眞要大論")', Wang Bing added detailed commentary to pathology and treatment doctrine by explaining the numerous appearances of 'Sebo, sufficiency, deficiency(歲步, 有餘, 不足)' and in the relation of 'victory-defeat(勝復)', he argued clearly that it is not mechanical estimation. (4) When we observe the Wang Bing's originality on the study of 'the theory of Doctrine on five elements' motion and six kinds of natural factors(運氣學說)', he emphasized 'The idea of Jeongindogi and Health preserving(全眞導氣${\cdot}$養生思想)' by adding 'Wang Bing's Commentary(王氷 注本)' of 'The seven great chapters("七篇大論")' and explained clearly 'The theory of Doctrine on five elements' motion and six kinds of natural factors(運氣學說)' and simpled and expanded the meaning of 'man, as a microcosm, is connected with the macrocosm(天人相應)' and with 'Atmosphere theory(大氣論)' also explained the meaning of 'rising and falling mechanism(升降氣機)'. In the sentence of 'By examining the pathology, take care of your health(審察病機 無失氣宜)'. he explained the meaning of pathology of 'heart-kidney-water-fire(心腎水火)' and suggested the doctrine and management of prescription. In the estimation and treatment, by suggesting 'asthenia and sthenia(虛實)' two method's estimation, 'contrary treatment(反治)' and treatment principals of 'falling heart fire tonifyng kidney water(降心火益腎水)', 'two class of chill and fever(寒熱二綱)' were demonstrated. There are 'inside and outside in the illness and so inner and outer in the treatment(病有中外 治有表囊)'. This sentence suggests concertedly. 'two class of superfies and interior(表囊二綱)' conforming to the position of disease. Therefore Wang Bing as an excellent theorist and introduced 'Cheoniin ideology(天眞思想)' as a clinician and realized the medical science. With these accomplishes mainly written in 'The theory of Doctrine on five elements' motion and six kinds of natural factors(運氣學說)' of 'The seven great chapters("七篇大論")', he interpreted the ancient medical scriptures and expanded the meaning of scriptures and conclusively contributed to the development of the study 'Korean Oriental Medicine(韓醫學)'.

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Patient Satisfaction with Cancer Pain Management (암성통증관리 만족도)

  • Lee, So-Woo;Kim, Si-Young;Hong, Young-Seon;Kim, Eun-Kyung;Kim, Hyun-Sook
    • Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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    • v.6 no.1
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    • pp.22-33
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    • 2003
  • Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the present status of patients' satisfaction and the reasons for any satisfaction or dissatisfaction in cancer pain management Methods : A cross-sectional survey was used to obtain the feedback about pain management. The results of the survey were collected from 59 in- or out-patient who had cancer treatment at two of the teaching hospitals in Seoul from July, 2002 to November, 2002. The data was obtained by a structured questionnaire based on the American Cancer Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire(APS-POQ) and other previous research. The clinical information for all patients were compiled by reviewing their medical records. Resuts : 1) The subjects' mean score of the worst pain was 6.77, the average pain score was 3.80, and the pain score after management was 2.93 for the past 24 hours. The mean score of total pain interference was $25.03{\pm}12.82$. Many of the subjects had false beliefs about pain such as 'the experience of pain is a sign that the illness has gotten worse', 'pain medicine should be 'saved' in case the pain gets worse' and 'people get addicted to pain medicine easily'. 2) 66.1% of the subjects were properly medicated with analgesics. 33.9% of the subjects reported use of various methods in controlling pain other than the prescribed medication. Only 33.9% of the subjects had a chance to be educated about pain management by doctors or nurses. 3) The mean score of patients' satisfaction with pain management was $4.19{\pm}1.14$. 72.9% of the subjects answered 'satisfied' with pain management. The reasons for dissatisfaction were 'the pain was not relieved even after the pain management', 'I was not quickly and promptly treated when I complained of pain', 'doctors and nurses didn't pay much attention to my complaints of pain.', and 'there was no appropriate information given on the methods of administration, effect duration and side effects of pain medicine.' The reasons for satisfaction were: 'the pain was relieved after the pain management.', 'doctors and nurses quickly and promptly controlled my pain.', 'doctors and nurses paid enough attention to my complaints of pain.' and 'trust in my physician'. 4) In pain severity or pain interference, no significant difference was found between the satisfied group and dissatisfied group. On the belief 'good patients avoid talking about pain', a significant difference was found between the satisfied group and dissatisfied group. Conclusions : The patients' satisfaction with cancer pain management has increased over the years but still about 30% of patients reported to be 'not satisfied' for various reasons. The results of this study suggest that patients' education should be done to improve satisfaction in the pain management program.

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Research on the Need Assessment Tool for the Korean Elderly at Home Focused on their Desires Based (한국 재가노인의 욕구중심 사정도구 개발에 관한 연구)

  • Kirn, Young sook;Jung, Kook in;Park, So rah
    • 한국노년학
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    • v.27 no.2
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    • pp.459-472
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    • 2007
  • This research has its purpose of developing a tool to assess the needs of the Korean elderly at home population and to provide adequate services by evaluating their physical, psychological, and socio-environmental aspects. This developed tool is composed of two hundred questions and has the advantage of combined physical, psychological and social environmental situation assessment of the elderly at home. The tool also contains not only the objective view of the professionals, but also the subjective appeals of the elderly at home population so that it can reflect their substantial desires. The assessment tool was developed over 21 months from July, 2004 to March, 2006 and this period can be divided into three different stages. In the first stage, collecting of questions for the desire-focused assessment of the elderly by literature investigation and researching foreign source materials was carried out, and this ultimately developed assessment tool was applied to the long-term care insurance pilot project in the second stage. In this process, we revised some insufficiencies of this tool after we applied to elderly of 250 from the pilot project and other 200 elderly from this research team. For the last stage, the tool was completed by using inquiries of the focused group and the group of professionals to ensure its reliability and validity. In the process of developing the tool, the total of 200 questions under 13 subcategories was selected. The 13 subcategories are basic information, subjective appeals, information of the main helper, use of services, house environment, condition of health, condition of rehabilitation, daily living(ADL, IADL, defecation, assistance), social maintenance, behavioral disability, medical health, living habits, and strength. This tool is on the purpose to assess thoroughly the desires that the elderly at home population has and to provide the best service they need.

A Follow-up Study of Fertility and Pregnancy Wastage of Women in Rural Area (추적조사에 의한 농촌 여성의 출산력과 임신소모율)

  • Park, Jung-Han;Kim, Sin-Hyang;Chun, Byung-Yeol;Kim, Gui-Yeon;Yeh, Min-Hae;Cho, Seong-Eok;Cho, Jae-Yeon
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.21 no.1 s.23
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    • pp.21-30
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    • 1988
  • To measure the fertility rate and pregnancy wastage of women in rural area, 3,780 married women under 50 years old who were not sterilized either woman or husband in Gunwee county were followed up for 2 years. Seventeen Myun health workers visited these women periodically to check the status of their family planning practice and menstruation. Pregnant women were interviwed for their past obstetric history and followed up to the time of delivery. Family planning was practiced in 51.6% of the 6,826 women-years observed during the period from April 1, 1985 to March 31, 1987. Pregnancy, abortion and delivery covered 7.6% of the observed women-years and family planning was not practiced in 36.5% of the women-years. When sterilized women at the beginning of the study were included, the family planning practice rate was 72.1% which was slightly higher than the national family planning practice rate. However, 28% of the women of 30-39 years old had not practiced family planning although they had 2-3 children and they used more such less effective methods as safe-period method and condom than the women of 20-29 years old. Overall pregnancy rate was 14.3 per 100 woman-years. Women of 25-29 years old had the highest pregnancy rate of 27.4 per ,100 woman-years. Pregnancy wastage including spontaneous and induced abortions and still births was 22.0% of all pregnancies and it increased with the age of women; 15.8% in women less than 30 years old and 43.7% in women of 30 years and over. Women who terminated the pregnancy with induced abortion had more pregnancies, more previous induced and spontaneous abortions and shorter pregnancy interval than those women who terminated with live birth. Pregnant women terminated with a live birth had received 4.2 prenatal cares on the average. Eighty-five percent of deliveries occurred at a medical facility and 15% at home which was substantially lower home delivery rate than the other rural area of Korea. This may be due to the effects of the demonstration project for the primary health care in 1970s in Gunwee county. These findings suggest that family planning service in rural area should be strengthened by promoting the use of more effective contraceptive method among women over 30 years of age.

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A Review of the Systemic Analysis Method on Dental Sedation for Children (소아 치과환자에 대한 진정법의 체계적 분석 방법 고찰)

  • An, Soyoun;Lee, Jewoo;Kim, Seungoh;Kim, Jongbin
    • Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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    • v.42 no.4
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    • pp.331-339
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    • 2015
  • The first priority of sedation for incorporative children in pediatric dentistry is a safety. Therefore, evidence-based practices in health care are needed for preventing medical accidents. In accordance with the rise of the evidence based medicine, the interest in Evidence-Based Dentistry is increasing in the field of dentistry. However, systematic research about Evidence-Based sedation in Korea has rarely been done. As such, the purpose of this systematic review is to critically analyze the available scientific literature regarding dental sedation and to seek the next developmental strategies about evidence based pediatric dental sedation. A broad search of the 5 databases of the systematic reviews manual of the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency in Korea were referenced: 1) Core search database- KMbase, KISS; 2) Academic information and portal; 3) the National Assembly Library; 4) DBpia, and 5) RISS. Of a total 470 themes limited to the search term of "dental sedation", in accordance with the PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews of health sciences interventions, a literature selection process, which includes the removal of overlapping down the flow chart, was performed. Of the remaining 31 articles, two authors read through articles independently and added or removed articles using the exclusion criteria. Finally, twenty published papers of acceptable quality were identified and reviewed. This systemic review of Korean pediatric dental sedation practices for the last twenty-five years was based on the objective criteria defined in the GRADE process and identified consistent evidence. The results were evidence of moderate quality. Therefore, more systemically well-designed clinical studies are needed about the safe use of a sedative medicines (drugs).

Actual Condition of Quality Control of X-ray Imaging System in Primary Care Institution: focused on Gwangju Metropolitan City (1차 의료기관의 엑스선 발생장치 정도관리에 관한 현황조사:광주광역시 지역을 중심으로)

  • Dong, Kyung-Rae;Lee, Seun-Joo;Kweon, Dae-Cheol;Goo, Eun-Hoe;Jung, Jae-Eun;Lee, Kyu-Su
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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    • v.35 no.1
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    • pp.34-42
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    • 2010
  • With the expanded use of radiation in modern medical practices, the most important issue in regards to efforts to reduce individual exposure dose is quality assurance. Therefore in order to study the present condition of quality assurance, the Gwangju Metropolitan City area was divided into five districts each containing ten hospitals. Four experiments were conducted: a reproducibility experiment for kVp, mA, and examination time (sec) intensity of illumination; half-value layer (HVL) measurement; and beam perpendicularity test matching experiment. The tube voltage reproducibility experiment for all fifty hospitals resulted in a 95.33% passing rate and mA and examination time both resulted in a 77.0% passing rate. The passing rate for intensity of illumination was 86.0% and 52.0% for HVL, which was the lowest passing rate of all four factors. For the beam perpendicularity test matching experiment, generally the central flux is matched to within $1.5^{\circ}$. Of all fifty hospitals 30.0% were beyond $3^{\circ}$. The results of the survey showed that 58% responded that they knew about quality assurance cycle. All fifty respondents stated that they have not received any training in regards to quality assurance at their current place of employment. Although quality assurance is making relative progress, the most urgent issue is awareness of the importance of quality assurance. Therefore, the implementation of professional training focusing on safety management and accurate quality assurance of radiation will reduce the exposure to radiation for radiologists and patients and higher quality imaging using less dosage will also be possible.