BACKGROUND: Transfusion is a choice of treatment and should be used in order to maintain patients' lives and health. In order to supply safe blood, the quality improvements of hospital blood collection centers should be periodically monitored. To establish systematic surveillance of blood management system, we would like to suggest proper program. METHODS: Twenty-nine hospital small scale blood centers, collects less than 100 units of blood collection per year, were evaluated. Qualified were selected among blood bank specialists who were eligible to simultaneously perform inspections and consultations, and who had attended inspectors' workshop. RESULTS: Among twenty-five blood collection centers, four blood collection centers were closed prior to inspections. Among them, two blood collection centers were evaluated as inadequate. Among adequate centers, some questionnaires were evaluated as "not applicable" mainly for reasons pertaining to personnel and facilities, such as blood component preparation rooms and/or center administrators. CONCLUSION: A checklist for an inspection program should be reviewed continuously. Additionally, detailed guidelines for inspection should be standardized prior to commencing of subsequent year's inspection program. Finally, guidelines for inspection should be established for every questionnaire.
Blood Banks ; Checklist ; Quality Improvement ; Referral and Consultation ; Specialization ; Surveys and Questionnaires

A total of 213 fine needle aspirations from pulmonary lesions in 193 patients performed from January, 1986 to March, 1989 were analyzed. The cytologic diagnoses were unsatisfactory in 10, negative in 60, atypical in 6, suspicious in 11 and malignant in 126 cases. The cytologic types of the malignant cases were 47 squamous cell carcinomas, 40 adenocarcinomas, 10 small cell carcinomas, 6 large cell carcinomas and 10 metastatic tumors. They were verified by the histologic confirmation in 31 cases and by the clinical data in the remainder. There were 5 false-negative cases and none was false-positive, representing 96% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Primary lung cancers were accurately typed in 73% of histologically confirmed case. Cell blocks, prepared in 99 cases, were helpful in tumor typing of 11 cases.
Neoplasm Metastasis ; Lung Neoplasms

Some individuals may demonstrate a secondary phase nystagmus (SPN) following the caloric irrigation. It has been stated that if a SPN begins prior to 140 seconds after the onset of caloric stimulation and if the magnitude of the slow phase velocity is greater than 6 degrees/sec, then a premature reversal caloric nystagmus (PRCN) is said to exit. Thus far, there have been no reports describing PRCN in Korea. We described a typical PRCN in a patient with medulloblastoma within the 4th ventricle. The patient had a gaze-evoked horizontal and upbeating nystagmus. However, there was no indication of spontaneous nystagmus. A monothermal caloric test was administered. The initial left beating primary phase nystagmus was subsided at 60 seconds after right cold water stimulation and at 110 seconds, a right beating SPN with 14 degrees/sec of slow phase velocity was appeared and was continuous for 240 seconds. Although the precise mechanism of PRCN is unknown, vestibular nuclei damage may be related.
Caloric Tests ; Humans ; Korea ; Medulloblastoma ; Nystagmus, Physiologic* ; Vestibular Nuclei ; Water

PURPOSE: To evaluate the histological changes of the synovial membrane treated by 166Ho-Chitosan complex in collagenase induced arthritis of the knee in the rabbit. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Arthritis was induced in sixteen rabbits by intra-articular injection of 1mg collagenase II and then treated by intra-articular injection of 0.4mCi 166Ho-Chitosan complex 2weeks later. The radioisotope scan was checked in each rabbit for the distribution and extra-articular leakage of the 166Ho-Chitosan complex. The synovial tissues from the femorotibial joints were evaluated for serial histological changes 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks after the 166Ho-Chitosan complex injetion. RESULTS: Two weeks after 166Ho-Chitosan complex administration, inflammatory cells such as giant cells, lymphocytes, histiocyte, and fibroblasts appeared in the subsynovial stroma. The most synovial cells were necrotized. Four weeks after 166Ho-Chitosan complex administration, the inflammatory cells were decreased and many fibroblasts appeared on the subsynovial stroma. There was neovasculization in the synovial membrane 4 weeks after administration. The fibers of collagen were noticed in the synovial membrane and subsynovial stroma at 8 weeks. There was no synoviocyte in the synovium and the thickness of fibrosis was increased at 12weeks. There were fragmentation of the nucleoli of synoviocyte and endothelial cell on the transmission electron microscope (TEM) . CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the synovial membranes treated by 166Ho-Chitosan complex in the collagenase induced arthritis of the knee in the rabbit show early radiation damage and then subsequently develop the fibrosis, and no synovial cell regeneration was observed until 12 weeks.
Arthritis* ; Collagen ; Collagenases* ; Endothelial Cells ; Fibroblasts ; Fibrosis ; Giant Cells ; Histiocytes ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Joints ; Knee* ; Lymphocytes ; Rabbits ; Regeneration ; Synovial Membrane

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an issue not only with regard to public health, but also in terms of economic impact. AMR surveillance has mainly been carried out in general hospitals, and not in nursing hospitals. This study was conducted to investigate the AMR rate for bacterial strains isolated from nursing hospital samples.METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) results from a total of 23,518 bacterial isolates recovered from clinical specimens taken in 61 nursing hosals were analyzed. AST was conducted using Vitek 2 with AST cards specific for the bacterial strains.RESULTS: A total of 19,357 Gram-negative and 4,161 Gram-positive bacterial strains were isolated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=6,384) and Escherichia coli (n=5,468) were the most prevalent bacterial species and, among Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (n=1,565) was common. The AMR rate was high for the following strains: cefotaxime-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, 77.4%; cefotaxime-resistant E. coli, 70.6%; imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, 90.3%; imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa, 49.3%; oxacillin-resistant S. aureus, 81.1%, penicillin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, 44.8%, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, 53.5%. AMR rate change varied by bacterial species and antimicrobial drug.CONCLUSION: AMR rates of major pathogens from nursing hospitals were higher than those from general hospitals with the exception of imipenem-resistant A. baumannii. Continuous monitoring and infection control strategies are needed.
Acinetobacter baumannii ; Enterococcus faecalis ; Enterococcus faecium ; Escherichia coli ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; Hospitals, General ; Infection Control ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Nursing ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Public Health ; Staphylococcus aureus

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation. PURPOSE: To compare quality of life in postmenopausal women with osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) who underwent vertebroplasty (VP) or kyphoplasty (KP). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Patient with OVFs who do not respond to conservative treatment can be treated with VP or ballon KP for faster pain relief. There are controversies on which procedure is more effective. METHODS: Five hundred twenty-eight postmenopausal women in nationwide hospitals with age of 50 years or older who underwent VP of KP for OVFs were enrolled in this study. Health related quality of life was measured using the European Quality of Life 5 Domains (EQ-5D) and visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: In the VP group, average EQ-5D dimension was 1.95 in mobility, 1.86 in self care, 2.02 in usual activity, 2.19 in pain, 1.69 in anxiety or depression. In the KP group, average EQ-5D dimension was 1.83 in mobility, 1.78 in self care, 1.98 in usual activity, 2.03 in pain, 1.55 in anxiety or depression. Quality of life of KP group was significantly better than that of the VP group in mobility (p=0.016), pain (p=0.001), and anxiety or depression (p=0.008). Average EQ-5D index of the VP and the KP group was 0.353 (+/-0.472) and 0.485 (+/-0.357), respectively. The EQ-5D index of the KP group was significantly (p<0.001) higher than that of the KP group. The difference of VAS between VP and KP group was not statistically significant (p=0.580). CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life in patient with OVFs who underwent KP was significantly better than that of patients who underwent VP.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Kyphoplasty* ; Quality of Life* ; Retrospective Studies ; Self Care ; Vertebroplasty*

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of spondylolisthesis on lumbar lordosis on the OSI (Jackson; Orthopaedic Systems Inc.) frame. Restoration of lumbar lordosis is important for maintaining sagittal balance. Physiologic lumbar lordosis has to be gained by intraoperative prone positioning with a hip extension and posterior instrumentation technique. There are some debates about changing lumbar lordosis on the OSI frame after an intraoperative prone position. We evaluated the effect of spondylolisthesis on lumbar lordosis after an intraoperative prone position. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients, who underwent spinal fusion at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of Gwangmyeong Sungae Hospital between May 2007 and February 2012, were included in this study. The study compared lumbar lordosis on preoperative upright, intraoperative prone and postoperative upright lateral X-rays between the simple stenosis (SS) group and spondylolisthesis group. The average age of patients was 67.86 years old. The average preoperative lordosis was 43.5degrees (+/- 14.9degrees), average intraoperative lordosis was 48.8degrees (+/- 13.2degrees), average postoperative lordosis was 46.5degrees (+/- 16.1degrees) and the average change on the frame was 5.3degrees (+/- 10.6degrees). RESULTS: Among all patients, 24 patients were diagnosed with simple spinal stenosis, 43 patients with spondylolisthesis (29 degenerative spondylolisthesis and 14 isthmic spondylolisthesis). Between the SS group and spondylolisthesis group, preoperative lordosis, intraoperative lordosis and postoperative lordosis were significantly larger in the spondylolisthesis group. The ratio of patients with increased lordosis on the OSI frame compared to preoperative lordosis was significantly higher in the spondylolisthesis group. The risk of increased lordosis on frame was significantly higher in the spondylolisthesis group (odds ratio, 3.325; 95% confidence interval, 1.101 to 10.039; p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative lumbar lordosis on the OSI frame with a prone position was larger in the SS patients than the spondylolisthesis patients, which also produced a larger postoperative lordosis angle after posterior spinal fusion surgery. An increase in lumbar lordosis on the OSI frame should be considered during posterior spinal fusion surgery, especially in spondylolisthesis patients.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Intraoperative Care/*methods ; Lumbar Vertebrae/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/*prevention & control ; Posture/physiology ; Prone Position/*physiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis/*surgery ; Spondylolisthesis/*surgery

BACKGROUND: Weight loss in obese patients has been shown to decrease plasma lipid level and high blood pressure, to improved glycemic control in diabetic patients and to decrease cardiovascular risk in obese patients. But, study for association of weight loss and Health related Quality of Life is not well known yet worldwide. This study was to determine whether weight loss would associate with improvements on Health Related Quality of Life. METHODS: Participants was recruited in 48 obese patient visiting obesity clinic of Family Medicine of Sungkyunkwan University Hospital. 27 patients who answered mailed questionnaire was analyzed. Health Related quality of life was measured by Catholic Medical Center Health Survey(CMCHS) V 1.0. Questionnaire included not only Health Related Quality of Life but also alcohol habit, excercise, smoking, marital status, economic status, education. RESULTS: In multiple regression analysis, weight loss is statistically significant differences on satisfaction, vitality, physical function, social function, role limitation general health dimensions of CMCHS. CONCLUSION: The Results of this study demonstrate that weight loss on obese patients may be associated with an improvement in Health Related Quality of Life.
Education ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Marital Status ; Obesity ; Plasma ; Postal Service ; Quality of Life* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Weight Loss* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Laparoscopy is a useful technique for a diagnostic purpose of pelvic diseases in gynecologic patients, but it may be associated with many complications related to a steep Trendelenburg position and a usage of Trocar. It may also be developed that a large amount of CO2 insufflation into the peritoneal cavity causes respiratory acidemia and its related hemodynamic changes. To investigate the influence of the CO2, insufflation and the positional changes on the end-tidal CO2, tension (P>CO2), blood pressure and heart rate during laparoscopy in gynecologic patients, the authors observed the changes in PetCO2,heart rate, and blood pressure before the CO2, insufflation, at 1,3,5,7 and 10 minutes after the CO2, insufflation and at 2,5 and 10 minutes after the CO2, exsufflation respectvely under general endotracheal anesthesia with controlled ventilation (tidal volume 10 ml/kg, ventilatory rate 10 breaths/min). The results were as follows. 1) Pet>CO2 was increased until 10 minutes after CO2 insufflation. 2) PetCO2 was decreased at 2,5 and 10 minute after CO2 exsufflation but increased from the control value. 3) Heart rate was decreased at 1,3,5,7 and 10 minutes after CO2 insufflation and at 2,5 and 10 minutes after CO2 exsufflation from the control value respectively. 4) Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were increased after CO insuffiation and unti15 minutes after CO2 exsufflation. On the basis of the above results, because an increase of the PetCO2, and the hemodynamic changes occur during the laparoscopy using CO2 under general endotracheal anesthesia with controlled ventilation, it is recommended to monitor carefully PetCO2, heart rate and blood pressure to control adequately ventilation, blood pressure and heart rate.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, General ; Blood Pressure ; Carbon Dioxide* ; Carbon* ; Head-Down Tilt ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Insufflation ; Laparoscopy* ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Surgical Instruments ; Ventilation

OBJECTIVE: A general orientation along the cervical spine could be estimated by external landmarks, and it was useful, quick and less exposable to radiation, but, sometimes it gave reference confusion of target cervical level. The authors reviewed the corresponding between the neck external landmarks and cervical levels. METHODS: Totally 1,031 cervical lateral radiographs of different patients were reviewed in single university hospital. Its compositions were 534 of males and 497 females; 86 of second decades (10-19 years-old), 169 of third decades, 159 of fourth decades, 209 of fifth decades, 275 of sixth decades, and 133 of more than seventh decades (>60 years-old). Reference external landmarks (mandible, hyoid bone, thyroid cartilage, and cricothyroid membrane) with compounding factors were reviewed. RESULTS: The reference levels of cervical landmarks were C2.13 with mandible angle, C3.54 with hyoid bone, C5.12 with thyroid cartilage, and C6.01 with cricothyroid membrane. The reference levels of cervical landmarks were differently observed by sex, age, and somatometric measurement (height) accordingly mandible angle from C1 to C3, hyoid bone from disc level of C2 and C3 to C5, thyroid cartilage from disc level of C3 and C4 to C7, and cricothyroid membrane from C4 to disc level of C7 and T1. CONCLUSION: Surface landmarks only provide general reference points, but not correspond to exact levels of the cervical spine. Intraoperative fluoroscopy ensures a more precise placement to the targeted cervical level.
Female ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Hyoid Bone ; Male ; Mandible ; Membranes ; Neck ; Spine* ; Thyroid Cartilage