Purpose: Patient handovers are critical for patient safety. Studies have shown that nurses are often interrupted during handovers, and standardized guidelines are lacking. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a new handover method for emergency nurses. Methods: This quasi-experimental study implemented a new handover method from August 1, 2022, at the emergency department of a university hospital. Pre- (34 responses) and post-(16 responses, six months later) surveys and post-interviews (six participants) were conducted. In the pre-survey, data were collected regarding handover-related characteristics, cause of handover error, handover perception and handover error experience. Data regarding handover perception and handover error experience were obtained again at the post-survey. Wilcoxon’s signed rank test was used to compare handover perception and handover error experience. The interview results were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in information quality or interaction and support, but the new handover method was more efficient, and handover errors decreased. Four themes were identified from interview responses. Conclusion By providing a quiet place and allowing emergency nurses to independently review patient records during handovers, we expect to maintain nursing continuity, increase efficiency, and ultimately ensure patient safety and nurses’ job satisfaction.

Purpose: Patient handovers are critical for patient safety. Studies have shown that nurses are often interrupted during handovers, and standardized guidelines are lacking. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a new handover method for emergency nurses. Methods: This quasi-experimental study implemented a new handover method from August 1, 2022, at the emergency department of a university hospital. Pre- (34 responses) and post-(16 responses, six months later) surveys and post-interviews (six participants) were conducted. In the pre-survey, data were collected regarding handover-related characteristics, cause of handover error, handover perception and handover error experience. Data regarding handover perception and handover error experience were obtained again at the post-survey. Wilcoxon’s signed rank test was used to compare handover perception and handover error experience. The interview results were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in information quality or interaction and support, but the new handover method was more efficient, and handover errors decreased. Four themes were identified from interview responses. Conclusion By providing a quiet place and allowing emergency nurses to independently review patient records during handovers, we expect to maintain nursing continuity, increase efficiency, and ultimately ensure patient safety and nurses’ job satisfaction.

Purpose: Patient handovers are critical for patient safety. Studies have shown that nurses are often interrupted during handovers, and standardized guidelines are lacking. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a new handover method for emergency nurses. Methods: This quasi-experimental study implemented a new handover method from August 1, 2022, at the emergency department of a university hospital. Pre- (34 responses) and post-(16 responses, six months later) surveys and post-interviews (six participants) were conducted. In the pre-survey, data were collected regarding handover-related characteristics, cause of handover error, handover perception and handover error experience. Data regarding handover perception and handover error experience were obtained again at the post-survey. Wilcoxon’s signed rank test was used to compare handover perception and handover error experience. The interview results were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in information quality or interaction and support, but the new handover method was more efficient, and handover errors decreased. Four themes were identified from interview responses. Conclusion By providing a quiet place and allowing emergency nurses to independently review patient records during handovers, we expect to maintain nursing continuity, increase efficiency, and ultimately ensure patient safety and nurses’ job satisfaction.

Purpose: Patient handovers are critical for patient safety. Studies have shown that nurses are often interrupted during handovers, and standardized guidelines are lacking. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a new handover method for emergency nurses. Methods: This quasi-experimental study implemented a new handover method from August 1, 2022, at the emergency department of a university hospital. Pre- (34 responses) and post-(16 responses, six months later) surveys and post-interviews (six participants) were conducted. In the pre-survey, data were collected regarding handover-related characteristics, cause of handover error, handover perception and handover error experience. Data regarding handover perception and handover error experience were obtained again at the post-survey. Wilcoxon’s signed rank test was used to compare handover perception and handover error experience. The interview results were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in information quality or interaction and support, but the new handover method was more efficient, and handover errors decreased. Four themes were identified from interview responses. Conclusion By providing a quiet place and allowing emergency nurses to independently review patient records during handovers, we expect to maintain nursing continuity, increase efficiency, and ultimately ensure patient safety and nurses’ job satisfaction.

The functionally generated path (FGP) technique, first described by Meyer in 1933, is a method in the oral cavity to use the movement pathway formed by the opposing cusps within the border movement of the mandible. Using this method, an appropriate occlusal shape can be given to the patient. In this case, the FGP technique was selected to provide a bilateral balanced occlusion when restoring the edentulous maxilla that opposes the natural mandibular teeth with irregular arrangement with overdentures. In addition, in order to precisely form the occlusal surface of the posterior region with the FGP technique and to reduce the attrition of denture teeth, zirconia denture teeth, not conventional resin artificial teeth, were individually manufactured. After treatment with these materials and methods, satisfactory results were obtained for both the operator and the patient.

Background: The fatality rate of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) varies among countries owing to demographics, patient comorbidities, surge capacity of healthcare systems, and the quality of medical care. We assessed the clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 during the first wave of the epidemic in Korea. Methods: Using a modified World Health Organization clinical record form, we obtained clinical data for 3,060 patients with COVID-19 treated at 55 hospitals in Korea. Disease severity scores were defined as: 1) no limitation of daily activities; 2) limitation of daily activities but no need for supplemental oxygen; 3) supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula; 4) supplemental oxygen via facial mask; 5) non-invasive mechanical ventilation; 6) invasive mechanical ventilation; 7) multi-organ failure or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy; and 8) death. Recovery was defined as a severity score of 1 or 2, or discharge and release from isolation. Results: The median age of the patients was 43 years of age; 43.6% were male. The median time from illness onset to admission was 5 days. Of the patients with a disease severity score of 3–4 on admission, 65 (71.5%) of the 91 patients recovered, and 7 (7.7%) died due to illness by day 28. Of the patients with disease severity scores of 5–7, 7 (19.5%) of the 36 patients recovered, and 8 (22.2%) died due to illness by day 28. None of the 1,324 patients who were < 50 years of age died; in contrast, the fatality rate due to illness by day 28 was 0.5% (2/375), 0.9% (2/215), 5.8% (6/104), and 14.0% (7/50) for the patients aged 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and ≥ 80 years of age, respectively. Conclusion In Korea, almost all patients of < 50 years of age with COVID-19 recovered without supplemental oxygen. In patients of ≥ 50 years of age, the fatality rate increased with age, reaching 14% in patients of ≥ 80 years of age.