Hospitalists are specialists in inpatient care who aim to improve patient safety and quality of care. Accordingly, hospitalist research focuses on patient safety and quality improvement (QI). Major hospital medicine journals publish studies on patient safety and QI. This review introduces the latest research related to patient safety and QI research in the field of hospital medicine.

This study was done to analyze the consumption patterns of health functional food (HFF) as well as to perform needs assessment for the development of web-contents on HFF according to age of adults. The subjects were 238 male and female adults, divided into 4 groups by their age. This study collected all information by self-administrated questionnaires. The awareness on HFF was high in the older adults. The younger adults showed more negative responses to reliability and safety on HFF. The main reason for the consumption of HFF was to supplement nutrients and to prevent diseases. The main types of HFF consumed by adults were nutritional supplementary food, red ginseng products, and glucosamine products. There was higher consumption of nutritional supplementary food in the younger adults and glucosamine products in the older adults. Internet users had low level of satisfaction, with tendency to complain poor contents, reliability, difficulties in searching as problems of the pre-existing HFF websites. As useful methods for provision of information on HFF, most adults wanted general information, articles written by experts and videos. They also wanted to know the safety and side effects of HFF. Requirement of contents composition were various in-depth information, clear indication of citation, fresh updated data while that of display composition was easily-findable, uncomplicated, allowing mutual exchange of communication through bulletin board. These results can be used as basic data that reflect the consumer's needs for developing HFF web-contents according to age of adults.
Adult ; Female ; Functional Food ; Glucosamine ; Humans ; Internet ; Male ; Needs Assessment ; Panax ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This study investigated the effects of freeze-dried cranberry powder on anti-inflammation and lipid profiles of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats fed an atherogenic diet for 6 weeks. Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats (6-weeks-old) were equally divided into the following five groups: 1) normal diet group + saline (NC); 2) atherogenic diet + saline (HFC); 3) atherogenic diet + LPS (HL); 4) atherogenic diet with 5% cranberry power + LPS (C5); 5) atherogenic diet with 10% cranberry power + LPS (C10). LPS (0.5 mg/kg) was injected into the abdominal cavities of rats 18 hours prior to sacrifice. At the end of the experimental period, we measured serum lipid profiles as well as levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), nitric oxide (NO), and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and IL-10 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine. The mean serum high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level in C5 rats was significantly higher than that in NC and HL rats (P < 0.05). The mean serum levels of CRP and IL-1beta were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the cranberry powder groups compared to those in HL rats. Additionally, mean serum IL-6 levels tended to be lower in the cranberry groups than that in the HL group, whereas serum IL-10 and NO showed 29% and 88% higher mean values in the C5 group and 49% and 24% higher in the C10 group than those in the HL group, respectively. These results suggest that freeze-dried cranberry powder may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases by modifying serum lipids and the early inflammatory response.
Abdominal Cavity ; Animals ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cytokines ; Diet ; Diet, Atherogenic ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; Rats ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Vaccinium macrocarpon

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Pentoxifylline(PF) on the conventional ICSI program undergone in severe asthenozoospermia. METHOD: Total 348 cycles of ICSI programs undertaken at CHA General Hospital from January, 1996 to September, 2000, were divided into two groups - injected with pentoxifylline-treated sperm(PFT, 204 cycles) or non-treated sperm(NPFT, 144 cycles) and the clinical results of PFT group were compared with those of NPFT. RESULTS: PF-treatment on sperm increased their motility of normozoospermia and severe asthenozoospermia. Fertilization rate of PFT group was higher than those of ICSI programs undertaken using sperm of NPFT(70.6% vs. 62.9%, p<0.01). And, ET and clinical pregnancy rates of PFT were slightly higher than those of NPFT(93.1%, 44.2% vs. 90.3%, 36.2%). CONCLUSION: These results showed that treatment of pentoxifylline has a beneficial role on selection of viable sperm in severe asthenozoospermia.
Asthenozoospermia* ; Fertilization ; Hospitals, General ; Pentoxifylline* ; Pregnancy Rate ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic* ; Spermatozoa

PURPOSE: To assess the correlation between retinal thickness determined with a retinal thickness analyzer (RTA) and the responses of multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) in patients with diabetic macular edema. METHODS: RTA and mfERG were performed in patients with diabetic macular edema (20eyes, 10 patients) and normal subjects (10eyes, 10 patients). The measured retina of RTA and mfERG overlapped based on the anatomical landmarks of the fundus. The center of macula was defined as "Area 1", and the central 5 degree retina including the center of macula was defined as "Area 2". The correlations between retinal thickness and the local responses in each area were assessed. RESULTS: The mean retinal thickness of patients with diabetic macular edema was significantly greater than that of normal subject, and the results of mfERG typically represented decreased amplitudes and delayed latencies. In the matching of retinal thickness and local responses in Area 2, amplitudes of N1 & P1 decreased and latency of P1 delayed as the retinal thickness increased. The correlation was prominent in patients with diabetic macular edema. CONCLUSIONS: In the matching of RTA and mfERG of patients with diabetic macular edema, retinal thickness and local responses were significantly correlated.
Humans ; Macular Edema* ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde*

Oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration is one of several etiologies underlying neurodegenerative disease. In the present study, we investigated the functional role of histone methyltransferase G9a in oxidative stress-induced degeneration in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Cell viability significantly decreased on H2O2treatment; however, treatment with the G9a inhibitor BIX01294 partially attenuated this effect. The expression of neuron-specific genes also decreased in H2O2 -treated cells; however, it recovered on G9a inhibition. H2O2 -treated cells showed high levels of H3K9me2 (histone H3 demethylated at the lysine 9 residue), which is produced by G9a activation; BIX01294 treatment reduced aberrant activation of G9a.H3K9me2 occupancy of the RE-1 site in neuron-specific genes was significantly increased in H2O2 -treated cells, whereas it was decreased in BIX01294-treated cells. The differentiation of H2O2 -treated cells also recovered on G9a inhibition by BIX01294. Consistent results were observed when used another G9a inhibitor UCN0321. These results demonstrate that oxidative stress induces aberrant activation of G9a, which disturbs the expression of neuron-specific genes and progressively mediates neuronal cell death. Moreover, a G9a inhibitor can lessen aberrant G9a activity and prevent neuronal damage. G9a inhibition may therefore contribute to the prevention of oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration.

Oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration is one of several etiologies underlying neurodegenerative disease. In the present study, we investigated the functional role of histone methyltransferase G9a in oxidative stress-induced degeneration in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Cell viability significantly decreased on H2O2treatment; however, treatment with the G9a inhibitor BIX01294 partially attenuated this effect. The expression of neuron-specific genes also decreased in H2O2 -treated cells; however, it recovered on G9a inhibition. H2O2 -treated cells showed high levels of H3K9me2 (histone H3 demethylated at the lysine 9 residue), which is produced by G9a activation; BIX01294 treatment reduced aberrant activation of G9a.H3K9me2 occupancy of the RE-1 site in neuron-specific genes was significantly increased in H2O2 -treated cells, whereas it was decreased in BIX01294-treated cells. The differentiation of H2O2 -treated cells also recovered on G9a inhibition by BIX01294. Consistent results were observed when used another G9a inhibitor UCN0321. These results demonstrate that oxidative stress induces aberrant activation of G9a, which disturbs the expression of neuron-specific genes and progressively mediates neuronal cell death. Moreover, a G9a inhibitor can lessen aberrant G9a activity and prevent neuronal damage. G9a inhibition may therefore contribute to the prevention of oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration.

Background: s/Aims: The recent increase in medical school admissions has potentially altered the working conditions of hospitalists in South Korea. This study investigated how these changes have affected the work patterns and responsibilities of hospitalists, particularly in light of the ongoing exodus of medical trainees that began on February 22, 2024. Methods: We surveyed members of the Korean Society of Hospital Medicine and the Korean Society of Surgery Hospital Medicine Study Group working as hospitalists from April 2 to 30, 2024. The survey was conducted via email and excluded personally identifiable information. Respondents’ characteristics, work types, hours, patient loads, support staff availability, and changes in job scope post-policy were analyzed. Results: Sixty-three hospitalists responded, with an equitable gender distribution and a median age of 39 years. A significant shift in work patterns was noted, with full-day shifts increasing from 22.2% to 39.7%, and a corresponding decrease in weekday daytime shifts. Work hours also significantly increased from a median of 40 to 45 hours per week. Changes in patient distribution were observed, with fewer hospitalists managing mid-range patient numbers and more handling smaller or larger loads. Despite the increased demands in the latter case, more than 50% of hospitalists reported a lack of support staff and a significant portion did not receive overtime compensation. Conclusions The increase in medical school admissions and subsequent shifts in hospitalist workloads and hours indicate a strained healthcare system. Hospitalists are taking on more intensive and extended roles. The absence of adequate support staff and adjustments in compensation suggest that further systemic changes are necessary to sustain the efforts of hospitalists, thereby ensuring patient safety and care quality.

Background: s/Aims: The recent increase in medical school admissions has potentially altered the working conditions of hospitalists in South Korea. This study investigated how these changes have affected the work patterns and responsibilities of hospitalists, particularly in light of the ongoing exodus of medical trainees that began on February 22, 2024. Methods: We surveyed members of the Korean Society of Hospital Medicine and the Korean Society of Surgery Hospital Medicine Study Group working as hospitalists from April 2 to 30, 2024. The survey was conducted via email and excluded personally identifiable information. Respondents’ characteristics, work types, hours, patient loads, support staff availability, and changes in job scope post-policy were analyzed. Results: Sixty-three hospitalists responded, with an equitable gender distribution and a median age of 39 years. A significant shift in work patterns was noted, with full-day shifts increasing from 22.2% to 39.7%, and a corresponding decrease in weekday daytime shifts. Work hours also significantly increased from a median of 40 to 45 hours per week. Changes in patient distribution were observed, with fewer hospitalists managing mid-range patient numbers and more handling smaller or larger loads. Despite the increased demands in the latter case, more than 50% of hospitalists reported a lack of support staff and a significant portion did not receive overtime compensation. Conclusions The increase in medical school admissions and subsequent shifts in hospitalist workloads and hours indicate a strained healthcare system. Hospitalists are taking on more intensive and extended roles. The absence of adequate support staff and adjustments in compensation suggest that further systemic changes are necessary to sustain the efforts of hospitalists, thereby ensuring patient safety and care quality.

Background: s/Aims: The recent increase in medical school admissions has potentially altered the working conditions of hospitalists in South Korea. This study investigated how these changes have affected the work patterns and responsibilities of hospitalists, particularly in light of the ongoing exodus of medical trainees that began on February 22, 2024. Methods: We surveyed members of the Korean Society of Hospital Medicine and the Korean Society of Surgery Hospital Medicine Study Group working as hospitalists from April 2 to 30, 2024. The survey was conducted via email and excluded personally identifiable information. Respondents’ characteristics, work types, hours, patient loads, support staff availability, and changes in job scope post-policy were analyzed. Results: Sixty-three hospitalists responded, with an equitable gender distribution and a median age of 39 years. A significant shift in work patterns was noted, with full-day shifts increasing from 22.2% to 39.7%, and a corresponding decrease in weekday daytime shifts. Work hours also significantly increased from a median of 40 to 45 hours per week. Changes in patient distribution were observed, with fewer hospitalists managing mid-range patient numbers and more handling smaller or larger loads. Despite the increased demands in the latter case, more than 50% of hospitalists reported a lack of support staff and a significant portion did not receive overtime compensation. Conclusions The increase in medical school admissions and subsequent shifts in hospitalist workloads and hours indicate a strained healthcare system. Hospitalists are taking on more intensive and extended roles. The absence of adequate support staff and adjustments in compensation suggest that further systemic changes are necessary to sustain the efforts of hospitalists, thereby ensuring patient safety and care quality.