In order to provide more effective and personalized healthcare services to patients and healthcare professionals, intelligent active knowledge management and reasoning systems with semantic interoperability are needed. Technological developments have changed ubiquitous healthcare making it more semantically interoperable and individual patient-based; however, there are also limitations to these methodologies. Based upon an extensive review of international literature, this paper describes two technological approaches to semantically interoperable electronic health records for ubiquitous healthcare data management: the ontology-based model and the information, or openEHR archetype model, and the link to standard terminologies such as SNOMED-CT.
Aluminum Hydroxide ; Carbonates ; Delivery of Health Care ; Electronic Health Records ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Humans ; Knowledge Management ; Semantics

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an oral health care education program for care providers on the nutritional status of the elderly in a long-term care facility. This study was conducted at a long-term care facility located in K metropolitan city using a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. Fifty-four nursing home residents aged 65 years or older were assigned either to the intervention group (n=27) or the control group (n=24). The intervention group received oral health care from the care providers' intervention group, who provided oral health care for 6 weeks after 6 weeks of oral health care education. Data were collected from the control group and intervention group at the baseline 6 and 12 weeks after oral care education and were analyzed using SPSS windows 16.0. The halitosis was lower in the intervention group than the control group at 12 weeks (P<0.01). Body mass index of the intervention group at 12 weeks was higher than that at 6 weeks. Iron intake of the intervention group at 12 weeks was lower than that at baseline. At baseline, the intakes of riboflavin, folate, and potassium were lower than 75% of dietary reference intakes. In conclusion, an oral care education program for care providers was effective in improving the oral hygiene of nursing home residents, and dietary plans are needed to improve the nutritional status of them.
Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Folic Acid ; Halitosis ; Humans ; Iron ; Long-Term Care ; Nursing Homes ; Nursing Staff ; Nutritional Status ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene ; Potassium ; Riboflavin

BACKGROUND: Benzodiazepines acting on the GABA receptor complex in the spinal cord are known to induce antinociception. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the effect of intrathecal midazolam with bupivacaine following hemorroidectomy. METHODS: Forty five patients were involved in this study. Patients were randomly allocated to one of 3 groups: the control group received 0.5% heavy bupivacaine 5 mg and 0.9% NaCl 0.2 ml intrathecally, group BM1 0.5% bupivacaine and midazolam 1 mg (0.2 ml), group BM2 0.5% bupivacaine 5 mg and midazolam 2 mg (0.4 ml), respectively. The analgesic effects and side effects were compared among the 3 groups. RESULTS: There was a significant difference among the 3 groups in time-to-first-pain medication and total consumption of analgesics during the 24 h after surgery. Furthermore, the analgesic effect of midazolam was dose-dependent: 2 mg of midazolam showed better results than 1 mg. All the patients showed no considerable side effects. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that intrathecal midazolam caused a significant delay in time-to-first-pain medication and reduced utilization of analgesics within 24 h. Therefore, intrathecal midazolam can be used as an effective adjunct for spinal anesthesia for postoperative pain control.
Analgesics ; Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Benzodiazepines ; Bupivacaine* ; Hemorrhoidectomy* ; Humans ; Midazolam* ; Pain, Postoperative ; Receptors, GABA ; Spinal Cord

While constipation is a common symptom in Korea, there are no existing treatment guidelines. Although constipation may occur as a result of organic cause, there is no obstructive mucosal or structural cause in the vast majority of patients with constipation. The present paper deals with only the management of functional constipation: lifestyle changes; bulking agents and stool softeners; osmotic agents; stimulant laxatives; prokinetics; biofeedback and surgical treatments. Exercise and dietary fiber are helpful in some patients with constipation. Laxatives including bulking agents, stool softeners, osmotic agents, and stimulant laxatives have been found to be more effective than placebo at relieving symptoms of constipation. New enterokinetic agents that affect peristalsis through selective interaction with 5-hydroxytryptamine-4 receptors can be effective in patients with constipation who cannot get adequate relief from current laxatives. Biofeedback can relieve symptoms in selected patients with pelvic floor dyssynergia. Surgical treatments can be helpful in some patients with refractory constipation.
Biofeedback, Psychology ; Cathartics/therapeutic use ; Constipation/surgery/*therapy ; Dietary Fiber/therapeutic use ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Laxatives/therapeutic use ; Serotonin 5-HT4 Receptor Antagonists/therapeutic use ; Surface-Active Agents/therapeutic use

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the satisfaction of newly graduated nurses with educational programs and their experiences in role transition. METHODS: Data were collected from November 1 to December 15, 2018 and 483 new graduate nurses working at 15 tertiary hospitals and 10 general hospitals participated. For data collection, self-report questionnaires including the Casey-Fink Graduate Nurse Experience Survey tool and satisfaction with education were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Satisfaction with education ranged from 3.09 to 3.27, and satisfaction with preceptors was 3.45(maximum 4). The skill that new nurses ranked as most difficult during the first 3 months was charting/documentation, and throughout a whole year, the top 4 difficult skills were cardiopulmonary resuscitation/emergency response, ventilator care, end-of-life care, and prioritization/time management. In comfort/confidence, new graduates felt most comfortable with support and least comfortable with patient safety. More than 50 percent of new graduates experienced stress during role transition, and the most frequently experienced stressors were related to job performance and personal life. Levels of satisfaction with education and comfort/confidence differed according to the hospital type and number of preceptors for new nurses. CONCLUSION In order to facilitate the transition of new graduate nurses to professional nurse, an extended period of education, systematic and standardized transition programs, and continuous support during the first year of practice are required.

This study examined all the research published in Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing (JKAN) for last 30 years, from its beginning year to year 1999, based on an objective frame of evaluation. The purpose of this study is to reflect the trend of nursing research in Korea to date, and to provide an optimal direction for future research. The total number of 959 studies were analyzed with the following results. 1. Since 1990s, the number of non-degree based research has been larger than that of degree-based research compared to 1970s and 1980s. Both collaborative and funded research has been particularly increased in a gradual rate. 2. Research on nurses or nursing students has decreased while research on more diverse populations such as patients, patient families, or community-dwelling healthy clients has increased. 3. While essential nursing concepts such as human, nursing, and health have been consistently dealt as main research topics, research related to the concept of environ- ment has been insufficiently conducted. 4. It was remarkable that the quality of nursing research has been improved due to the acknowledgement of the importance of the empirical research method within the nursing community. 5. Qualitative research has appeared in the journal since the late 1990s, but it is still regarded to be in its novice stage. 6. Although the utilization of research findings for expanding the nursing body of knowledge has been wide in diverse specialties, most studies are limited to focus on concept development or evolution yet. also, in some of these research finding are utilization already considerably as to develop nursing interventions. Based on these findings, conclusions are extended to the following discussions: For the last 30 years, nursing research in Korea has shown an acute methodological development in both quantity and quality. However, there has been a lack of research on theory development although it is one of the ultimate goals in nursing. Further research should be empirical enough to be utilized in an actual nursing care context, and thus to be basis of developing culturally competent nursing theories in Korea.
Empirical Research ; Financial Management ; Humans ; Korea ; Nursing Care ; Nursing Research* ; Nursing Theory ; Nursing* ; Qualitative Research ; Students, Nursing

PURPOSE: Ultrasound is most effective study for evaluating thyroid nodules. In this review, we discuss that sonographic findings to differentiate benign from malignant nodules and suggest recommendations for indications of fine needle aspiration biopsy and thyroid nodule management. METHODS: Sonographic scans of 206 thyroid nodules in 164 patients were candidated for this study. We evaluated sonographic findings by shape, calcification, margin, and echogenicity, retrospectively. Sonographic findings that suggested malignancy included microcalcifications, a speculated margin, marked hypoechogenicity and a shape that was taller than wide. The final diagnosis of lesion as benign (n=180) or malignant (n=26) was confirmed by fine needle aspiration biopsy and follow-up (>6 months). We demonstrated the difference of the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy. RESULTS: Of 206 thyroid nodules, 26 were malignant. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy based on our sonographic classification method were 84.6%, 73.9%, 31.9%, 97.0% and 75.2%. CONCLUSION: Sonography can be helpful for making the differentiation between and malignant nodules. So, when well trained surgeon find thyroid nodules on sonography, we can make correct diagnosis of malignant nodules.
Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule* ; Ultrasonography*

BACKGROUND: Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that shows increased sensitivity to nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. Atracurium is eliminated by Hofmann elimination and ester hydrolysis. We studied the onset and duration of atracurium in patients with myasthenia gravis. METHODS: Ten patients undergoing thymectomy for myasthenia gravis and ten patients of ASA Class I-II without liver, kidney and neuromuscular disease for orthopedic surgical procedures were assigned. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental (4~5 mg/kg) and maintained with inhalation of N2O:O2 (1:1) and enflurane (1.0~2.0 vol%). Atracurium (0.5 mg/kg) was given as a muscle relaxant and then intubation was performed after twitch response was depressed more than 80%. Neuromuscular relaxation was assessed by TOF (T1) at the adductor pollicis with supramaximal stimulation of ulnar nerve at 2 Hz every 12 seconds. The onset and the duration of 5, 25, 50, 75% recovery time of T1 and the recovery index were recorded. RESULTS: Onset of block was shortened and recovery time of 5, 25, 50, 75% and recovery index were prolonged in patients with myasthenia gravis. Conlusions: In patients with myasthenia gravis, atracurium induced rapid onset time and prolonged recovery time of 5, 25, 50, 75% and recovery index.
Anesthesia ; Atracurium* ; Enflurane ; Humans ; Hydrolysis ; Inhalation ; Intubation ; Kidney ; Liver ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Neuromuscular Diseases ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Relaxation ; Thiopental ; Thymectomy* ; Ulnar Nerve

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy (TEP) was developed as an alternative treatment of inguinal hernias to open hernia repair. This study evaluated 92 cases of laparoscopic surgery to determine the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic TEP. METHODS: Laparoscopic TEP was performed on 92 patients with inguinal hernias from January 2008 to December 2010. Through a retrospective study of these patients, information om TEP repair was collected including the patients' characteristics, operation time, hospital stay, analgesic use and related complications. RESULTS: Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy were performed on a total of 92 patients (85 men and 7 women, age ranging from 16 to 83 years, with a mean of 56 years). The mean operation time for a unilateral inguinal hernia and bilateral inguinal hernia was 58.7 and 84.2 min, respectively. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.0 days (range, 2~9 days). Thirty nine patients were discharged without an analgesic injection, whereas 36 patients were injected with analgesic on the day of surgery. Of these 92 procedures, 10 complications were recorded; one granuloma complication, two patients with operation site discomfort, five with urinary retention issues, one patient with a scrotal seroma, and one patient with scrotal edema. CONCLUSION: TEP repairs have minimal morbidity and are more effective with less pain than the open procedure. TEP repair can be considered a favorable procedure for patients who request minimally invasive procedures for inguinal hernia repairs.
Female ; Granuloma ; Hernia ; Hernia, Inguinal ; Herniorrhaphy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Pyrazines ; Retrospective Studies ; Seroma ; Urinary Retention

No abstract available.
Humans* ; Hybridomas*