Purpose: : This study aimed to examine the item characteristics of the Korean version of the intensive care experience questionnaire (K-ICEQ) using the Rasch analysis model of the item response theory. Methods: : In this methodological study, the validity of the scale was examined, and a secondary analysis was conducted using cohort data of patients who were discharged from the intensive care units (ICU). Data from 891 patients who responded to the K-ICEQ upon ICU discharge were analyzed. The WINSTEP program was used to analyze item characteristics, including item difficulty, fit indices, appropriateness scale, and separation reliability. Results: : The difficulty level of all 26 items of the K-ICEQ was appropriate, and the fit indices of the 25 items, except for item 18, were good. The 5-point scale of the K-ICEQ was not appropriate in the three subscales. The item separation reliability was good in all subscales, but did not meet the criteria in terms of respondents. Conclusion : The results of examining the item characteristics of the K-ICEQ revealed a good degree of difficulty, fitness, and item separation reliability. To increase the validity of the K-ICEQ, we suggest the rearrangement of the overall item order, modification of the item description of the “recall of experience” subscale, and reduction of the scale response level.

The incidence of infective endocarditis is 1.5-4.95 cases per 100,000 individuals per year, with a mortality of 14-46% 1-year post infection. The management and decision to operate on selected patients remains controversial. Our study reviews cases of native and prosthetic valve endocarditis in a surgical population, in an attempt to identify and compare clinical and microbiologic features between the two groups. In addition, we compared our findings with other published series to identify if there are changes with these parameters over time.

HLA-matched platelet transfusion is required for patients with platelet refractoriness due to HLA alloimmunity. From 2013 to 2019, the Korean Red Cross has recruited 4,080 donors for HLA-matched platelets. The patient’s HLA information should be submitted to the Korean Red Cross in accordance with the WHO HLA serologic specificities. When HLA-matched platelets are requested, the Korean Red Cross selects the appropriate donors based on Duquesnoy’s matching grade classification (1977) and CREGs defined by Takemoto, Fuller, and Rodey (2007) and then contacts them to request blood donations. Platelets of HLA-matched donors are collected by apheresis and supplied to the hospital. To make this process more efficient, the Korean Red Cross introduced a systemic standard work procedure using a computer program for blood donor management and HLA matching. Owing to the extensive polymorphism of the HLA types, expansion of the donor pool would be required to supply HLA-matched platelets sufficiently. As the number of registered donors for HLA-matched platelets is limited, it should only be ordered when the indication criteria for its use are met. The Korean Red Cross is planning to study genotype-based matching strategies for patients with rare HLA types and receive patients’ laboratory test results from medical institutions to evaluate the effectiveness of HLA-matched platelet transfusions.

HLA-matched platelet transfusion is required for patients with platelet refractoriness due to HLA alloimmunity. From 2013 to 2019, the Korean Red Cross has recruited 4,080 donors for HLA-matched platelets. The patient’s HLA information should be submitted to the Korean Red Cross in accordance with the WHO HLA serologic specificities. When HLA-matched platelets are requested, the Korean Red Cross selects the appropriate donors based on Duquesnoy’s matching grade classification (1977) and CREGs defined by Takemoto, Fuller, and Rodey (2007) and then contacts them to request blood donations. Platelets of HLA-matched donors are collected by apheresis and supplied to the hospital. To make this process more efficient, the Korean Red Cross introduced a systemic standard work procedure using a computer program for blood donor management and HLA matching. Owing to the extensive polymorphism of the HLA types, expansion of the donor pool would be required to supply HLA-matched platelets sufficiently. As the number of registered donors for HLA-matched platelets is limited, it should only be ordered when the indication criteria for its use are met. The Korean Red Cross is planning to study genotype-based matching strategies for patients with rare HLA types and receive patients’ laboratory test results from medical institutions to evaluate the effectiveness of HLA-matched platelet transfusions.