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.

Peripheral facial palsy results from facial nerve injury. While most cases are idiopathic (Bell's palsy) with favorable prognosis, other causes such as trauma, infection, and compression have poor outcomes. An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a direct connection between an artery and a vein that is treatable with endovascular procedures, making early diagnosis essential. We report a case of a 68-year-old woman with peripheral facial palsy and pulsatile pain for four months, diagnosed with an infratemporal AVF compressing the facial nerve.

Peripheral facial palsy results from facial nerve injury. While most cases are idiopathic (Bell's palsy) with favorable prognosis, other causes such as trauma, infection, and compression have poor outcomes. An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a direct connection between an artery and a vein that is treatable with endovascular procedures, making early diagnosis essential. We report a case of a 68-year-old woman with peripheral facial palsy and pulsatile pain for four months, diagnosed with an infratemporal AVF compressing the facial nerve.

Peripheral facial palsy results from facial nerve injury. While most cases are idiopathic (Bell's palsy) with favorable prognosis, other causes such as trauma, infection, and compression have poor outcomes. An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a direct connection between an artery and a vein that is treatable with endovascular procedures, making early diagnosis essential. We report a case of a 68-year-old woman with peripheral facial palsy and pulsatile pain for four months, diagnosed with an infratemporal AVF compressing the facial nerve.

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: This subgroup analysis of the Korean subset of patients in the phase 3 LASER301 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of lazertinib versus gefitinib as first-line therapy for epidermal growth factor receptor mutated (EGFRm) non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: Patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFRm NSCLC were randomized 1:1 to lazertinib (240 mg/day) or gefitinib (250 mg/day). The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). Results: In total, 172 Korean patients were enrolled (lazertinib, n=87; gefitinib, n=85). Baseline characteristics were balanced between the treatment groups. One-third of patients had brain metastases (BM) at baseline. Median PFS was 20.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.7 to 26.1) for lazertinib and 9.6 months (95% CI, 8.2 to 12.3) for gefitinib (hazard ratio [HR], 0.41; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.60). This was supported by PFS analysis based on blinded independent central review. Significant PFS benefit with lazertinib was consistently observed across predefined subgroups, including patients with BM (HR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.53) and those with L858R mutations (HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.63). Lazertinib safety data were consistent with its previously reported safety profile. Common adverse events (AEs) in both groups included rash, pruritus, and diarrhoea. Numerically fewer severe AEs and severe treatment–related AEs occurred with lazertinib than gefitinib. Conclusion Consistent with results for the overall LASER301 population, this analysis showed significant PFS benefit with lazertinib versus gefitinib with comparable safety in Korean patients with untreated EGFRm NSCLC, supporting lazertinib as a new potential treatment option for this patient population.

Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) is a small wild cat assessed as an endangered wildlife in Korea. There have been very few reports of their diseases. Herein, we describe fibrinous pleuritis caused by Streptococcus canis infection with excessive pleural effusion, hydropericardium, mild ascites, and liver fibrosis in a leopard cat. S. canis is a commensal microflora in domestic cats and often affects the upper respiratory tract inducing chronic and severe respiratory diseases. However, there is no literature regarding the S. canis in leopard cats. Therefore, we first report fibrinous pleuritis associated with an S. canis infection in a leopard cat.

Purpose: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is emerging as a valuable non-invasive tool to identify tumor heterogeneity and tumor burden. This study investigated ctDNA dynamics in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with regorafenib. Materials and Methods: In this prospective biomarker study, plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples obtained at baseline, at the first response evaluation after 2 cycles of treatment, and at the time of progressive disease were sequenced using a targeted next-generation sequencing platform which included 106 genes. Results: A total of 285 blood samples from 110 patients were analyzed. Higher baseline cfDNA concentration was associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). After 2 cycles of treatment, variant allele frequency (VAF) in the majority of ctDNA mutations decreased with a mean relative change of –31.6%. Decreases in the VAF of TP53, APC, TCF7L2, and ROS1 after 2 cycles of regorafenib were associated with longer PFS. We used the sum of VAF at each time point as a surrogate for the overall ctDNA burden. A reduction in sum (VAF) of ≥ 50% after 2 cycles was associated with longer PFS (6.1 vs. 2.7 months, p=0.002), OS (11.3 vs. 5.9 months, p=0.001), and higher disease control rate (86.3% vs. 51.1%, p < 0.001). VAF of the majority of the ctDNA mutations increased at the time of disease progression, and VAF of BRAF increased markedly. Conclusion Reduction in ctDNA burden as estimated by sum (VAF) could be used to predict treatment outcome of regorafenib.