Purpose: : This study aimed to verify the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the nurses’ attitude scale toward advance directives of patients. Methods: : We translated and back-translated the original tool consisting of 20 questions and tested and verified its content validity. Questions for which its content validity has been verified, a preliminary investigation was conducted among 20 nurses working in ICU, followed by the actual investigation. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0 for Windows and Mac and AMOS version 24.0. To verify the validity, an item analysis was conducted for all 398 samples, and then an exploratory factor analysis for 200 samples that were randomly selected, followed by a confirmatory factor analysis for the remaining 198 samples. Results: : Korean version of advance directives attitude scale (K-ADAS) consisting of 14 questions – 7 questions on ‘patient rights,’ 4 questions on ‘role of a nurse,’ and 3 questions on ‘ethical judgment’ – was verified its validity and reliability. Conclusion : In this study, the validity and reliability of the K-ADAS have been verified. We expect the verified tool to be useful in various fields that measuring the nurses’ attitude toward advance directives of patients.

BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) involves severe pain and it is difficult to identify the exact cause or pathogenesis. Therefore, there are controversies regarding legal issues related to the establishment of damage in medical malpractice lawsuits involving CRPS. This study aimed to analyze malpractice lawsuits involving CRPS, which occurred after the disputed medical treatment, to provide information on the courts' opinion and characteristics of the cases. METHODS: This study analyzed 23 lawsuit judgments involving CRPS that were sentenced from 2005 to 2015. RESULTS: A total of 12 of the 23 cases were partially ruled in favor of the plaintiff. The average amount (KRW) claimed was 470,638,385 ± 860,634,092 (21,000,000 to 4,020,000,000), and that awarded was 72,906,843 ± 53,389,367 (15,000,000 to 181,080,803). Sixteen of the 23 cases had CRPS type I. In 11 of 23 cases, the site of the pain was located in the lower limb and in 14 cases there was no presence of trauma or event prior to medical treatment. CONCLUSION: Nerve injury was the most frequent reason for taking responsibility in compensating damage in malpractice cases involving CRPS. Physicians should consider various possibilities of such complications in medical practices. It is important to identify and improve areas which need to be improved for patient safety through analyzing the lawsuit judgment cases.
Awards and Prizes ; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes ; Judgment ; Jurisprudence ; Lower Extremity ; Malpractice ; Patient Safety