Purpose: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive practical guide for enteral nutrition (EN) designed to enhance patient safety and reduce complications in Korea. Under the leadership of the Korean Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (KSPEN), the initiative sought to standardize EN procedures, improve decision-making, and promote effective multidisciplinary communication. Methods: The KSPEN EN committee identified key questions related to EN practices and organized them into seven sections such as prescribing, delivery route selection, formula preparation, administration, and quality management. Twenty-one experts, selected based on their expertise, conducted a thorough literature review to formulate evidence-based recommendations. Drafts underwent peer review both within and across disciplines, with final revisions completed by the KSPEN Guideline Committee. The guide, which will be published in three installments, addresses critical elements of EN therapy and safety protocols. Results: The practical guide recommends that EN orders include detailed elements and advocates the use of electronic medical records for communication. Standardized prescription forms and supplementary safety measures are outlined. Review frequency is adjusted according to patient condition—daily for critically ill or unstable patients and as dictated by institutional protocols for stable patients. Evidence indicates that adherence to these protocols reduces mortality, complications, and prescription errors. Conclusion The KSPEN practical guide offers a robust framework for the safe delivery of EN tailored to Korea’s healthcare context. It emphasizes standardized protocols and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve nutritional outcomes, patient safety, and operational efficiency. Rigorous implementation and monitoring of adherence are critical for its success.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive practical guide for enteral nutrition (EN) designed to enhance patient safety and reduce complications in Korea. Under the leadership of the Korean Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (KSPEN), the initiative sought to standardize EN procedures, improve decision-making, and promote effective multidisciplinary communication. Methods: The KSPEN EN committee identified key questions related to EN practices and organized them into seven sections such as prescribing, delivery route selection, formula preparation, administration, and quality management. Twenty-one experts, selected based on their expertise, conducted a thorough literature review to formulate evidence-based recommendations. Drafts underwent peer review both within and across disciplines, with final revisions completed by the KSPEN Guideline Committee. The guide, which will be published in three installments, addresses critical elements of EN therapy and safety protocols. Results: The practical guide recommends that EN orders include detailed elements and advocates the use of electronic medical records for communication. Standardized prescription forms and supplementary safety measures are outlined. Review frequency is adjusted according to patient condition—daily for critically ill or unstable patients and as dictated by institutional protocols for stable patients. Evidence indicates that adherence to these protocols reduces mortality, complications, and prescription errors. Conclusion The KSPEN practical guide offers a robust framework for the safe delivery of EN tailored to Korea’s healthcare context. It emphasizes standardized protocols and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve nutritional outcomes, patient safety, and operational efficiency. Rigorous implementation and monitoring of adherence are critical for its success.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive practical guide for enteral nutrition (EN) designed to enhance patient safety and reduce complications in Korea. Under the leadership of the Korean Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (KSPEN), the initiative sought to standardize EN procedures, improve decision-making, and promote effective multidisciplinary communication. Methods: The KSPEN EN committee identified key questions related to EN practices and organized them into seven sections such as prescribing, delivery route selection, formula preparation, administration, and quality management. Twenty-one experts, selected based on their expertise, conducted a thorough literature review to formulate evidence-based recommendations. Drafts underwent peer review both within and across disciplines, with final revisions completed by the KSPEN Guideline Committee. The guide, which will be published in three installments, addresses critical elements of EN therapy and safety protocols. Results: The practical guide recommends that EN orders include detailed elements and advocates the use of electronic medical records for communication. Standardized prescription forms and supplementary safety measures are outlined. Review frequency is adjusted according to patient condition—daily for critically ill or unstable patients and as dictated by institutional protocols for stable patients. Evidence indicates that adherence to these protocols reduces mortality, complications, and prescription errors. Conclusion The KSPEN practical guide offers a robust framework for the safe delivery of EN tailored to Korea’s healthcare context. It emphasizes standardized protocols and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve nutritional outcomes, patient safety, and operational efficiency. Rigorous implementation and monitoring of adherence are critical for its success.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive practical guide for enteral nutrition (EN) designed to enhance patient safety and reduce complications in Korea. Under the leadership of the Korean Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (KSPEN), the initiative sought to standardize EN procedures, improve decision-making, and promote effective multidisciplinary communication. Methods: The KSPEN EN committee identified key questions related to EN practices and organized them into seven sections such as prescribing, delivery route selection, formula preparation, administration, and quality management. Twenty-one experts, selected based on their expertise, conducted a thorough literature review to formulate evidence-based recommendations. Drafts underwent peer review both within and across disciplines, with final revisions completed by the KSPEN Guideline Committee. The guide, which will be published in three installments, addresses critical elements of EN therapy and safety protocols. Results: The practical guide recommends that EN orders include detailed elements and advocates the use of electronic medical records for communication. Standardized prescription forms and supplementary safety measures are outlined. Review frequency is adjusted according to patient condition—daily for critically ill or unstable patients and as dictated by institutional protocols for stable patients. Evidence indicates that adherence to these protocols reduces mortality, complications, and prescription errors. Conclusion The KSPEN practical guide offers a robust framework for the safe delivery of EN tailored to Korea’s healthcare context. It emphasizes standardized protocols and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve nutritional outcomes, patient safety, and operational efficiency. Rigorous implementation and monitoring of adherence are critical for its success.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive practical guide for enteral nutrition (EN) designed to enhance patient safety and reduce complications in Korea. Under the leadership of the Korean Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (KSPEN), the initiative sought to standardize EN procedures, improve decision-making, and promote effective multidisciplinary communication. Methods: The KSPEN EN committee identified key questions related to EN practices and organized them into seven sections such as prescribing, delivery route selection, formula preparation, administration, and quality management. Twenty-one experts, selected based on their expertise, conducted a thorough literature review to formulate evidence-based recommendations. Drafts underwent peer review both within and across disciplines, with final revisions completed by the KSPEN Guideline Committee. The guide, which will be published in three installments, addresses critical elements of EN therapy and safety protocols. Results: The practical guide recommends that EN orders include detailed elements and advocates the use of electronic medical records for communication. Standardized prescription forms and supplementary safety measures are outlined. Review frequency is adjusted according to patient condition—daily for critically ill or unstable patients and as dictated by institutional protocols for stable patients. Evidence indicates that adherence to these protocols reduces mortality, complications, and prescription errors. Conclusion The KSPEN practical guide offers a robust framework for the safe delivery of EN tailored to Korea’s healthcare context. It emphasizes standardized protocols and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve nutritional outcomes, patient safety, and operational efficiency. Rigorous implementation and monitoring of adherence are critical for its success.

Although glycopeptides remain the preferred treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia, the treatment of persistent MRSA bacteremia has been challenging. We investigated real-world treatment strategies for persistent MRSA bacteremia, with a specific emphasis on the use of antimicrobial agents and the frequency of changes during the treatment course. We retrospectively identified patients with persistent MRSA bacteremia in four university-affiliated hospitals between 2017 and 2021. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the patterns of antimicrobial uses for MRSA bacteremia. The secondary objectives were evaluating the associated factors with 1) overall 30-day mortality and 2) changing agents during the treatment course. Time-dependent Cox regression analysis was used to adjust for immortal time bias. Among 116 patients, 37.1% underwent antimicrobials switching, primarily prompted by persistent bacteremia. The 30-day mortality rates of groups with and without antimicrobial switching were 21.4% and 44.2%, respectively (p=0.010 by log-rank test); however, after adjustment for immortal time bias, there was no statistical significance between the two groups (adjusted hazard ratio 0.24, 95% confidence interval 0.03–2.17, p=0.238). Only the Pitt bacteremia score on day 4 and pneumonia were associated with 30-day mortality. Meanwhile, the factors associated with antimicrobial switching were the duration of bacteremia, the initial use of teicoplanin, echocardiogram, and Charlson comorbidity index. This study showed that while over one-third of persistent MRSA bacteremia patients experience changes in antimicrobial agents during treatment, this practice does not significantly improve the 30-day mortality. Our study suggests the need for more effective treatment strategies in managing persistent MRSA bacteremia.

Although glycopeptides remain the preferred treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia, the treatment of persistent MRSA bacteremia has been challenging. We investigated real-world treatment strategies for persistent MRSA bacteremia, with a specific emphasis on the use of antimicrobial agents and the frequency of changes during the treatment course. We retrospectively identified patients with persistent MRSA bacteremia in four university-affiliated hospitals between 2017 and 2021. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the patterns of antimicrobial uses for MRSA bacteremia. The secondary objectives were evaluating the associated factors with 1) overall 30-day mortality and 2) changing agents during the treatment course. Time-dependent Cox regression analysis was used to adjust for immortal time bias. Among 116 patients, 37.1% underwent antimicrobials switching, primarily prompted by persistent bacteremia. The 30-day mortality rates of groups with and without antimicrobial switching were 21.4% and 44.2%, respectively (p=0.010 by log-rank test); however, after adjustment for immortal time bias, there was no statistical significance between the two groups (adjusted hazard ratio 0.24, 95% confidence interval 0.03–2.17, p=0.238). Only the Pitt bacteremia score on day 4 and pneumonia were associated with 30-day mortality. Meanwhile, the factors associated with antimicrobial switching were the duration of bacteremia, the initial use of teicoplanin, echocardiogram, and Charlson comorbidity index. This study showed that while over one-third of persistent MRSA bacteremia patients experience changes in antimicrobial agents during treatment, this practice does not significantly improve the 30-day mortality. Our study suggests the need for more effective treatment strategies in managing persistent MRSA bacteremia.

Although glycopeptides remain the preferred treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia, the treatment of persistent MRSA bacteremia has been challenging. We investigated real-world treatment strategies for persistent MRSA bacteremia, with a specific emphasis on the use of antimicrobial agents and the frequency of changes during the treatment course. We retrospectively identified patients with persistent MRSA bacteremia in four university-affiliated hospitals between 2017 and 2021. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the patterns of antimicrobial uses for MRSA bacteremia. The secondary objectives were evaluating the associated factors with 1) overall 30-day mortality and 2) changing agents during the treatment course. Time-dependent Cox regression analysis was used to adjust for immortal time bias. Among 116 patients, 37.1% underwent antimicrobials switching, primarily prompted by persistent bacteremia. The 30-day mortality rates of groups with and without antimicrobial switching were 21.4% and 44.2%, respectively (p=0.010 by log-rank test); however, after adjustment for immortal time bias, there was no statistical significance between the two groups (adjusted hazard ratio 0.24, 95% confidence interval 0.03–2.17, p=0.238). Only the Pitt bacteremia score on day 4 and pneumonia were associated with 30-day mortality. Meanwhile, the factors associated with antimicrobial switching were the duration of bacteremia, the initial use of teicoplanin, echocardiogram, and Charlson comorbidity index. This study showed that while over one-third of persistent MRSA bacteremia patients experience changes in antimicrobial agents during treatment, this practice does not significantly improve the 30-day mortality. Our study suggests the need for more effective treatment strategies in managing persistent MRSA bacteremia.

The hygiene hypothesis, first proposed in 1989, suggested that reduced exposure to infections in early life leads to allergic diseases by the defects in the establishment of immune tolerance. Although many studies provided evidence that some exposure conditions, including family size, antibiotics, probiotics, and viral or bacterial infections, are strongly related to the prevalence of allergic diseases, thereby supporting the hygiene hypothesis, some evidence does not provide acceptable results for the hygiene hypothesis. Further, most studies have focused on patients with asthma or atopic dermatitis, not allergic rhinitis. In this review, we summarize the recent studies for and against the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ and identify causal association with the prevalence of allergic rhinitis.

Although glycopeptides remain the preferred treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia, the treatment of persistent MRSA bacteremia has been challenging. We investigated real-world treatment strategies for persistent MRSA bacteremia, with a specific emphasis on the use of antimicrobial agents and the frequency of changes during the treatment course. We retrospectively identified patients with persistent MRSA bacteremia in four university-affiliated hospitals between 2017 and 2021. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the patterns of antimicrobial uses for MRSA bacteremia. The secondary objectives were evaluating the associated factors with 1) overall 30-day mortality and 2) changing agents during the treatment course. Time-dependent Cox regression analysis was used to adjust for immortal time bias. Among 116 patients, 37.1% underwent antimicrobials switching, primarily prompted by persistent bacteremia. The 30-day mortality rates of groups with and without antimicrobial switching were 21.4% and 44.2%, respectively (p=0.010 by log-rank test); however, after adjustment for immortal time bias, there was no statistical significance between the two groups (adjusted hazard ratio 0.24, 95% confidence interval 0.03–2.17, p=0.238). Only the Pitt bacteremia score on day 4 and pneumonia were associated with 30-day mortality. Meanwhile, the factors associated with antimicrobial switching were the duration of bacteremia, the initial use of teicoplanin, echocardiogram, and Charlson comorbidity index. This study showed that while over one-third of persistent MRSA bacteremia patients experience changes in antimicrobial agents during treatment, this practice does not significantly improve the 30-day mortality. Our study suggests the need for more effective treatment strategies in managing persistent MRSA bacteremia.