OBJECTIVES: Although Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems provide various benefits, there are both advantages and disadvantages regarding its cost-effectiveness. This study analyzed the economic effects of EMR systems using a cost-benefit analysis based on the differential costs of managerial accounting. METHODS: Samsung Medical Center (SMC) is a general hospital in Korea that developed an EMR system for outpatients from 2006 to 2008. This study measured the total costs and benefits during an 8-year period after EMR adoption. The costs include the system costs of building the EMR and the costs incurred in smoothing its adoption. The benefits included cost reductions after its adoption and additional revenues from both remodeling of paper-chart storage areas and medical transcriptionists' contribution. The measured amounts were discounted by SMC's expected interest rate to calculate the net present value (NPV), benefit-cost ratio (BCR), and discounted payback period (DPP). RESULTS: During the analysis period, the cumulative NPV and the BCR were US$3,617 thousand and 1.23, respectively. The DPP was about 6.18 years. CONCLUSIONS: Although the adoption of an EMR resulted in overall growth in administrative costs, it is cost-effective since the cumulative NPV was positive. The positive NPV was attributed to both cost reductions and additional revenues. EMR adoption is not so attractive to management in that the DPP is longer than 5 years at 6.18 and the BCR is near 1 at 1.23. However, an EMR is a worthwhile investment, seeing that this study did not include any qualitative benefits and that the paper-chart system was cost-centric.
Adoption ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Electronic Health Records ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Investments ; Korea ; Outpatients ; Tertiary Healthcare

Although there have been several reported cases of enterocolitis caused by Yersinia enterocolitica, its colonoscopic findings have not been reported in Korea. We recently experienced two cases of Y. enterocolitica enterocolitis, where the colonoscopic examinations were performed. Two patients visited our hospital due to right lower quadrant pain. The thickened terminal ileum and right side colon with enlarged mesenteric nodes were observed on ultrasonography using graded compression method. Y. enterocolitica was isolated from stool in both cases, The colonascopy revealed nodular elevations, erosion., hyperemia, and edema on the terminal ileum and small hyperemic erosions or aphthoid ulcers on the colon, especially on the right side of the colon. In one of the cases, the aphthoid ulcers could be also seen on the sigmoid colon. Their clinical symptoms and signs improved 3-5 days after their visit without using antibiotics. We report these cases with a review of the relevant literature.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Colon ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Colonoscopy ; Edema ; Enterocolitis* ; Esophagus* ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Ileum ; Intestines* ; Korea ; Lymphadenitis* ; Stomach* ; Ulcer ; Ultrasonography ; Yemen* ; Yersinia enterocolitica* ; Yersinia*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Computed tomography during arterial portography and computed tomography during hepatic arteriography (CTAP and CTHA), one of the most sensitive method in detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodules , is reported to reduce unnecessary operation of HCC. However, it is not clear whet her CT AP and CT HA can reduce early post operative recurrence rate of HCC. We performed this study to find any differences in early postoperative recurrence rate of HCC according to the imaging modalities used for preoperativest aging. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients with HCC who had underg one curative hepat icres ection from Dec.1994 to Mar. 1998 were included (median age = 52 years (26-78), M:F = 85:12). They were classified into 3 groups according to the imaging methods used for preoper ative staging: CTAP & CTHA group (n=56), Lipiodol CT group (n=24), and three phase helical CT group (n=16). No significant inter-group difference was found in preoperative status of the patients or characteristics of HCC. One-year recurrence rates were compared by log-rank test. RESULTS: HCC recurred in 17 of 97 patients (18.7%) within 12 months. A significant difference in 1- year recurrence rate was observed between the groups: helical CT , may be a superior imaging modality for preoperative staging of HCC that can reduce early postoperative recurrence rate.
Aging ; Angiography ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Ethiodized Oil* ; Humans ; Portography ; Recurrence* ; Tomography, Spiral Computed*

The intestine is the third most commonly injured abdominal organ in blunt trauma. But we had a paucity of experience with these injuries. We experienced bowel ischemia in 55 year-old woman after motor-vehicle accident. She complained nausea, vomiting and weight, loss after traffic accident. We found mucosal hyperemia and intraluminal stenosis of duodenal second portion by the gastroscopy. So, we performed hypotonic duodenography and SMA and celiac angiograpby. Hypotonie duodenography showed a luminal narrowing from duodenojejunal junction to proximal jejunum and proximal dilatation, and SMA angiography showed 10 cm segment hypervascular staining of contrast medium in proximal portion. Therefore we performed jejunal loop segmentectomy. After operation she was discharged without complication.
Accidents, Traffic ; Angiography ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation ; Female ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Intestines ; Ischemia* ; Jejunum ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; Phenobarbital ; Vomiting

Advanced gastric cancer simulating early gastric cancer is increasing tendcncy due to development of diagnostic technology. A 64-year-old woman was admitted for epigastric discomfort. Endoscopy showed a small white mucus coated erosion and peripheral mucosal nodurarity on greater curvature side of antrum. Biopsy was resulted in adenocarcinoma. An upper GI series and abdominal sonography were normal. At surgery, advanced gastric carcinoma, Borrmann localized type IV in background of early gastric carcinoma, prepyloric antrum along the greater curvature with infiltration to the muscle layer and multiple lymphatic tumor emboli in serosa and perigastric adipose tissue and neural invasion and metastasis to 12 out of 28 perigastric lymph nodes with extranodal extension. 3 months later, distant metastasis such as cervical lymph node, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, peritoneal seeding and ascites were noticed.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adipose Tissue ; Ascites ; Biopsy ; Endoscopy ; Esophagus* ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines* ; Lymph Nodes ; Middle Aged ; Mucus ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pleural Effusion ; Serous Membrane ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Stomach*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori is found in more than 90% of patients with gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Regression of lymphoma after H. pylori eradication was reported. Therefore, early detection of gastric MALT lymphoma is important. On reported several endoscopic findings, nonspecific gastritis with erosion and ulceration were common and there is no typical endoscopic findings. METHODS: Therefore we analyzed the endoscopic findings of 16 low-grade B-cell gastric MALT lymphoma confirmed by biopsy, PCR and immunostain and compared histologic change after eradicating H. pylori infection in patients who refused operation retrospectively from March 1995 to October 1996. RESULTS: The male: female ratio was 7:9 and mean age was 43,7 years ald (23-71 yr), On endoscopic findings of gastric MALT lymphoma, irregular shaped geographic superficial ulcer was 7 cases (43.7%), diffuse mucosal nodularity was 4 cases (25.0%) and erosion was 3 cases (18.7%). The most common site of MALT lymphoma was antrum and angle. H. pylori was positive in 87.5% (14/16 cases) and eradication of H. pylori was done in patients who refused operation and histologic improvement after H. pylori eradication was found in 62.5% (5/8 cases). CONCLUSIONS: The most common endoscopic findings of gastric MALT lymphoma was irregular geographic superficial ulcer but diffuse mucosal nodularity and erosions were also common. Therefore, biopsy must be taken, especially on the antrum and angle although nonspecific lesion may be suspected.
B-Lymphocytes ; Biopsy ; Endoscopy ; Esophagus* ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa* ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Intestines* ; Lymphoid Tissue* ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach* ; Ulcer

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the stomach is the most common extranodal lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract. It is usually accompanied by Helicobacter pylori infection, and eradication of H. pylori remains the mainstay of treatment for gastric MALT lymphoma. However, there is no consensus on the second-line treatment for patients with gastric MALT lymphoma who do not improve after successful H. pylori eradication. Here, we report the case of a 34-year-old woman who presented with a polypoid type of gastric MALT lymphoma on the greater curvature side of the upper body. Despite successful H. pylori eradication, the tumor did not regress after 6 months. Because the tumor had a semipedunculated polypoid morphology, gastric polypectomy was implemented as a second-line treatment. No recurrence occurred during the 3-year follow-up period. We suggest that gastric polypectomy be considered an alternative treatment modality for polypoid gastric MALT lymphoma that is unresponsive to H. pylori eradication.
Adult ; Consensus ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Helicobacter ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Lymphoid Tissue ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone* ; Recurrence ; Stomach*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: DA-9701 is a newly developed drug made from the vegetal extracts of Pharbitidis semen and Corydalis tuber. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of DA-9701 on colorectal distension (CRD)-induced visceral hypersensitivity in a rat model. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to neonatal colon irritation (CI) using CRD at 1 week after birth (CI group). At 6 weeks after birth, CRD was applied to these rats with a pressure of 20 to 90 mm Hg, and changes in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured at baseline (i.e., without any drug administration) and after the administration of different doses of DA-9701. RESULTS: In the absence of DA-9701, the MAP changes after CRD were significantly higher in the CI group than in the control group at all applied pressures. In the control group, MAP changes after CRD were not significantly affected by the administration of DA-9701. In the CI group, however, the administration of DA-9701 resulted in a significant decrease in MAP changes after CRD. The administration of DA-9701 at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg produced a more significant decrease in MAP changes than the 0.3 mg/kg dose. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of DA-9701 resulted in a significant increase in pain threshold in rats with CRD-induced visceral hypersensitivity.
Analgesics/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Animals ; Arterial Pressure/drug effects ; Colon, Descending/physiology ; Dilatation/methods ; Gastrointestinal Agents/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Male ; Pain Threshold/drug effects ; Plant Preparations/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Visceral Pain/physiopathology/*prevention & control

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The heavy metals like cadmium (Cd) are neither destroyed nor produced in human body and may infiltrated into air, water, soil, food, human body and redistributed by biological and geographical circulation. With advent of recent industrialization detrimental heavy metal poisoning in human body is increased by industrial pollution. We aimed to establish the relative abilities of chelators to mobilized liver cadmium contents in chronic cadmium intoxication rats. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley albino male rats weighing 200 to 250 mg were used. All animals were loaded with 3 intraperitoneal injections of cadmium chloride (1.5 mg/kg) given at % hourly interval. Intraperitoneal injection of chelators commenced 1 week after the last loading injection and continued every 72 hour for a total of 10 injections. Chelators were given at a level of 1 mmole/kg (except 0.01 mmol/kg of BAL). The chelators used in present experiment are 1,2-diaminocyclohexane tetra acetate (CDTA), disodium calcium ethylene diamine tetra acetate (EDTA), sodium 2.3-dimer capto propane sulfonate (DMPS), sodium di ethyl dithio carbamate (DDTC), dimercapto succinate (DMSA), 2,3-dimer capto propanol (BAL), diethylene triamine penta acetate (DTPA), triethylene tetr amine hexa acetate (TTHA), D-penicillamine(DPA), Nacetyl penicillamine (NAPA). RESULTS: 1) The residual liver cadmium content was reduced in rats administered DPA, EDTA, NAPA, CDTA, DDTC and DMSA (32%, 23%, 19%, 17%, 16% and 15% respectively) compared with control group. 2) The residual kidney cadmium content was reduced in rats administered DPA, DDTC, CDTA and EDTA (33%, 21%, 18% and 17% respectively) 3) The summation of residual cadmium content in liver and kidney was reduced in rats administered DPA, EDTA, DDTC and CDTA (33%, 20%, 18% and 17% respectively) compared with control group. CONCULUSIONS: We suggested that DPA, EDTA, CDTA and DDTC might have protective role against the toxic effects of cadmium.
1-Propanol ; Animals ; Cadmium Chloride ; Cadmium* ; Calcium ; Characidae ; Chelating Agents* ; Edetic Acid ; Human Body ; Humans ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Kidney ; Liver* ; Male ; Metals, Heavy ; Penicillamine ; Poisoning ; Propane ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium ; Soil ; Succimer ; Succinic Acid

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Combined computed tomography during arterial portography(CfAP) and computed tomography during hepatic arteriography(CBiA) are more sensitive methods compared to conventional spiral CT in detecting small hepatocellular carcinoma. However, there are few data available on the influence of combined CTAP and CTHA on decision making for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of CTAP and CfHA as a preoperative study of hepatocellular carcinoma for surgical treatment. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with histologically proven hepatocellular carcinoma who were considered to be surgical candidates on spiral CT and angiography were included. CfAP and CTHA were performed as the routine protocol. The findings of CTAP and CTHA were analyzed and compared to conventianal spiral Cl and angiography. ReESULTS: 1) 105 nodules were found on spiral Cf plus angiography, whereas, 138 nodules found on combined CIAP and CTHA: 33 additional nodules were found in 23 cases(28%). 2) The treatment plan changed from surgery to nonsurgical treatment in 10(12%) cases: 9 cases(10%) with bilobar involvement, and 1 case (1%) with more than three nodules. 3) The larger the tumor nodules on the spiral CT, the more additional tumor nodules were found on CTAP and CTHA: combined CTAP and CTHA were able to find more nodules in 21% of tumor < 3cm, 27% of tumor with 3 - 10cm, and 71% of tumor >10cm on spiral CI' (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Compared to spiral CT plus angiography, CI'AP and CfHA may be useful in avoiding unnecessary operation of hepatocellular carcinoma, especially in large tumors.
Angiography ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Decision Making ; Humans ; Tomography, Spiral Computed