Background: and Purpose Treatments for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) such as eculizumab, ravulizumab, satralizumab, and inebilizumab have significantly advanced relapse prevention, but they remain expensive. Rituximab is an off-label yet popular alternative that offers a cost-effective solution, but its real-world efficacy needs better quantification for guiding the application of newer approved NMOSD treatments (ANTs). This study aimed to determine real-world rituximab failure rates to anticipate the demand for ANTs and aid in resource allocation. Methods: We conducted a nationwide retrospective study involving 605 aquaporin-4-antibody-positive NMOSD patients from 22 centers in South Korea that assessed the efficacy and safety of rituximab over a median follow-up of 47 months. Results: The 605 patients treated with rituximab included 525 (87%) who received continuous therapy throughout the follow-up period (median=47 months, interquartile range=15–87 months). During this period, 117 patients (19%) experienced at least 1 relapse. Notably, 68 of these patients (11% of the total cohort) experienced multiple relapses or at least 1 severe relapse.Additionally, 2% of the patients discontinued rituximab due to adverse events, which included severe infusion reactions, neutropenia, and infections. Conclusions This study has confirmed the efficacy of rituximab in treating NMOSD, as evidenced by an 87% continuation rate among patients over a 4-year follow-up period. Nevertheless, the occurrence of at least one relapse in 19% of the cohort, including 11% who experienced multiple or severe relapses, and a 2% discontinuation rate due to adverse events highlight the urgent need for alternative therapeutic options.

Background: and Purpose Treatments for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) such as eculizumab, ravulizumab, satralizumab, and inebilizumab have significantly advanced relapse prevention, but they remain expensive. Rituximab is an off-label yet popular alternative that offers a cost-effective solution, but its real-world efficacy needs better quantification for guiding the application of newer approved NMOSD treatments (ANTs). This study aimed to determine real-world rituximab failure rates to anticipate the demand for ANTs and aid in resource allocation. Methods: We conducted a nationwide retrospective study involving 605 aquaporin-4-antibody-positive NMOSD patients from 22 centers in South Korea that assessed the efficacy and safety of rituximab over a median follow-up of 47 months. Results: The 605 patients treated with rituximab included 525 (87%) who received continuous therapy throughout the follow-up period (median=47 months, interquartile range=15–87 months). During this period, 117 patients (19%) experienced at least 1 relapse. Notably, 68 of these patients (11% of the total cohort) experienced multiple relapses or at least 1 severe relapse.Additionally, 2% of the patients discontinued rituximab due to adverse events, which included severe infusion reactions, neutropenia, and infections. Conclusions This study has confirmed the efficacy of rituximab in treating NMOSD, as evidenced by an 87% continuation rate among patients over a 4-year follow-up period. Nevertheless, the occurrence of at least one relapse in 19% of the cohort, including 11% who experienced multiple or severe relapses, and a 2% discontinuation rate due to adverse events highlight the urgent need for alternative therapeutic options.

Background: and Purpose Treatments for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) such as eculizumab, ravulizumab, satralizumab, and inebilizumab have significantly advanced relapse prevention, but they remain expensive. Rituximab is an off-label yet popular alternative that offers a cost-effective solution, but its real-world efficacy needs better quantification for guiding the application of newer approved NMOSD treatments (ANTs). This study aimed to determine real-world rituximab failure rates to anticipate the demand for ANTs and aid in resource allocation. Methods: We conducted a nationwide retrospective study involving 605 aquaporin-4-antibody-positive NMOSD patients from 22 centers in South Korea that assessed the efficacy and safety of rituximab over a median follow-up of 47 months. Results: The 605 patients treated with rituximab included 525 (87%) who received continuous therapy throughout the follow-up period (median=47 months, interquartile range=15–87 months). During this period, 117 patients (19%) experienced at least 1 relapse. Notably, 68 of these patients (11% of the total cohort) experienced multiple relapses or at least 1 severe relapse.Additionally, 2% of the patients discontinued rituximab due to adverse events, which included severe infusion reactions, neutropenia, and infections. Conclusions This study has confirmed the efficacy of rituximab in treating NMOSD, as evidenced by an 87% continuation rate among patients over a 4-year follow-up period. Nevertheless, the occurrence of at least one relapse in 19% of the cohort, including 11% who experienced multiple or severe relapses, and a 2% discontinuation rate due to adverse events highlight the urgent need for alternative therapeutic options.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine changes in nurse staffing grades and nursing fee revenues following the third amendment of the resource-based relative value scale, implemented in January 2024. Methods: Revised nurse staffing grades were determined based on the number of patients per nurse (PpN), calculated by dividing the daily patient census by the number of registered nurses working in general wards. Changes in staffing grades were analyzed from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 among 44 tertiary hospitals, 328 general hospitals, and 1,378 non-general hospitals. Results: In 2024, the previous "best grade" (grade 1) was subdivided into two or three grades. The best grade was redefined as grade S (PpN<1.5) in tertiary and general hospitals and grade A (PpN<2.0) in non-general hospitals. By 2024, 72.4%, 11.8%, and 22.5% of tertiary, general, and non-general hospitals, respectively, achieved the best grade. The estimated additional annual nursing fee revenues per nurse in 2024 (compared to 2023) for hospitals advancing from grade 1 to grade S ranged from 1,088,455 to 11,412,655 KRW in tertiary hospitals and 11,483,834 KRW in general hospitals. Conclusion To ensure appropriate nurse staffing levels, nursing fees should be proportionally differentiated based on staffing requirements. Additional revenues should be strategically allocated to enhance nurse compensation, thereby improving workforce sustainability and care quality.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine changes in nurse staffing grades and nursing fee revenues following the third amendment of the resource-based relative value scale, implemented in January 2024. Methods: Revised nurse staffing grades were determined based on the number of patients per nurse (PpN), calculated by dividing the daily patient census by the number of registered nurses working in general wards. Changes in staffing grades were analyzed from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 among 44 tertiary hospitals, 328 general hospitals, and 1,378 non-general hospitals. Results: In 2024, the previous "best grade" (grade 1) was subdivided into two or three grades. The best grade was redefined as grade S (PpN<1.5) in tertiary and general hospitals and grade A (PpN<2.0) in non-general hospitals. By 2024, 72.4%, 11.8%, and 22.5% of tertiary, general, and non-general hospitals, respectively, achieved the best grade. The estimated additional annual nursing fee revenues per nurse in 2024 (compared to 2023) for hospitals advancing from grade 1 to grade S ranged from 1,088,455 to 11,412,655 KRW in tertiary hospitals and 11,483,834 KRW in general hospitals. Conclusion To ensure appropriate nurse staffing levels, nursing fees should be proportionally differentiated based on staffing requirements. Additional revenues should be strategically allocated to enhance nurse compensation, thereby improving workforce sustainability and care quality.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine changes in nurse staffing grades and nursing fee revenues following the third amendment of the resource-based relative value scale, implemented in January 2024. Methods: Revised nurse staffing grades were determined based on the number of patients per nurse (PpN), calculated by dividing the daily patient census by the number of registered nurses working in general wards. Changes in staffing grades were analyzed from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 among 44 tertiary hospitals, 328 general hospitals, and 1,378 non-general hospitals. Results: In 2024, the previous "best grade" (grade 1) was subdivided into two or three grades. The best grade was redefined as grade S (PpN<1.5) in tertiary and general hospitals and grade A (PpN<2.0) in non-general hospitals. By 2024, 72.4%, 11.8%, and 22.5% of tertiary, general, and non-general hospitals, respectively, achieved the best grade. The estimated additional annual nursing fee revenues per nurse in 2024 (compared to 2023) for hospitals advancing from grade 1 to grade S ranged from 1,088,455 to 11,412,655 KRW in tertiary hospitals and 11,483,834 KRW in general hospitals. Conclusion To ensure appropriate nurse staffing levels, nursing fees should be proportionally differentiated based on staffing requirements. Additional revenues should be strategically allocated to enhance nurse compensation, thereby improving workforce sustainability and care quality.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine changes in nurse staffing grades and nursing fee revenues following the third amendment of the resource-based relative value scale, implemented in January 2024. Methods: Revised nurse staffing grades were determined based on the number of patients per nurse (PpN), calculated by dividing the daily patient census by the number of registered nurses working in general wards. Changes in staffing grades were analyzed from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 among 44 tertiary hospitals, 328 general hospitals, and 1,378 non-general hospitals. Results: In 2024, the previous "best grade" (grade 1) was subdivided into two or three grades. The best grade was redefined as grade S (PpN<1.5) in tertiary and general hospitals and grade A (PpN<2.0) in non-general hospitals. By 2024, 72.4%, 11.8%, and 22.5% of tertiary, general, and non-general hospitals, respectively, achieved the best grade. The estimated additional annual nursing fee revenues per nurse in 2024 (compared to 2023) for hospitals advancing from grade 1 to grade S ranged from 1,088,455 to 11,412,655 KRW in tertiary hospitals and 11,483,834 KRW in general hospitals. Conclusion To ensure appropriate nurse staffing levels, nursing fees should be proportionally differentiated based on staffing requirements. Additional revenues should be strategically allocated to enhance nurse compensation, thereby improving workforce sustainability and care quality.

Objective: The Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease–Cognition (SCOPA-Cog) was developed to assess cognition in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the SCOPACog (K-SCOPA-Cog). Methods: We enrolled 129 PD patients with movement disorders from 31 clinics in South Korea. The original version of the SCOPA-Cog was translated into Korean using the translation-retranslation method. The test–retest method with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient were used to assess reliability. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Korean version (MOCA-K) and the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) were used to assess concurrent validity. Results: The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.797, and the ICC was 0.887. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation with the K-MMSE and MOCA-K scores (r = 0.546 and r = 0.683, respectively). Conclusion Our results demonstrate that the K-SCOPA-Cog has good reliability and validity.

Background: Hand hygiene is considered the simplest and most cost-effective method of infection prevention. Regular observation and feedback on hand hygiene compliance are key strategies for its enhancement. This study evaluated the effectiveness of hand hygiene surveillance, including direct observation and feedback, by comprehensively analyzing the reported hand hygiene compliance within the Korean National Healthcare-Associated Infections Surveillance System from 2019 to 2022. Methods: Participating medical institutions included general hospitals and hospitals with infection control departments that consented to participate. Hand hygiene surveillance was conducted using direct observation. Collected data, including healthcare workers, clinical areas, hand hygiene moments, and hand hygiene compliance, were recorded to calculate hand hygiene compliance rates. Additionally, the volume of alcohol-based hand sanitizers used per patient per day was investigated as an indirect indicator of hand hygiene compliance. The study was conducted from July 2019 to December 2022. Results: Hand hygiene compliance increased from 87.2% in Q3 2019 to 89.9% in 2022. Nurses and medical technologists showed the highest compliance rates, whereas doctors showed the lowest compliance rates. Intensive care units excelled in compliance, whereas emergency de partments lagged. Compliance was highest after patient contact and lowest when the patient’s surroundings were touched. Larger hospitals consumed more alcohol-based hand sanitizers than smaller hospitals did. Conclusion This study confirmed an improvement in hand hygiene compliance through sustained surveillance, indicating its contribution not only to preventing infection transfer within healthcare facilities but also to fostering a culture of hand hygiene in the country.

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most lethal cancer globally and is associated with poor prognosis. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) can regulate biological properties of carcinoma cells. FABP5 is overexpressed in many types of cancers; however, the role and mechanisms of action of FABP5 in GC remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical and biological functions of FABP5 in GC. Materials and Methods: We assessed FABP5 expression using immunohistochemical analysis in 79 patients with GC and evaluated its biological functions following in vitro and in vivo ectopic expression. FABP5 targets relevant to GC progression were determined using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Results: Elevated FABP5 expression was closely associated with poor outcomes, and ectopic expression of FABP5 promoted proliferation, invasion, migration, and carcinogenicity of GC cells, thus suggesting its potential tumor-promoting role in GC. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis indicated that FABP5 activates immune-related pathways, including cytokinecytokine receptor interaction pathways, interleukin-17 signaling, and tumor necrosis factor signaling, suggesting an important rationale for the possible development of therapies that combine FABP5-targeted drugs with immunotherapeutics. Conclusions These findings highlight the biological mechanisms and clinical implications of FABP5 in GC and suggest its potential as an adverse prognostic factor and/or therapeutic target.