Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2023
Significant Reduction in External Ventricular Drain-Related Infections After Introducing a Novel Bundle Protocol: A Before and After Trial.
External ventricular drain (EVD)-related infection (ERI) is a serious complication in neurosurgical patients. The estimated ERI rates range from 5 to 20 cases per 1,000 EVD catheter days. The pathophysiology of ERI is similar to central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) stemming from skin-derived bacterial colonization. The use of bundle management can reduce CLABSI rates. Due to the pathogenic similarities between infections related to the two devices, we developed and evaluated the effectiveness of an ERI-bundle protocol based on CLABSI bundles. ⋯ Introduction of the ERI-bundle protocol was very effective in reducing ERI.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2023
Socioeconomic Disparities in the Association Between All-Cause Mortality and Health Check-Up Participation Among Healthy Middle-Aged Workers: A Nationwide Study.
This study assessed the relationship between non-participation in health check-ups and all-cause mortality and morbidity, considering socioeconomic status. ⋯ Our study highlights the significant reverse J-shaped association between health check-up participation and all-cause mortality. A pronounced association was found among self-employed individuals, regardless of gender.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2023
Prognostic Value of Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity According to Subjects' Clinical Characteristics: Data From Analysis of 10,597 Subjects.
To make good use of the prognostic value of arterial stiffness, it is important to identify the population with the greatest benefit. In this study, we compared the prognostic value of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) according to various clinical characteristics. ⋯ Our results suggest that baPWV is not only effective in specific clinical situations, but can be effectively applied to predict cardiovascular prognosis in various clinical situations.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2023
Factors Related to Suicidal Ideation by Gender and Age Group in Korean Adults.
According to the results of the age-standardized suicide rate (suicide deaths per 100,000 population) published by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries from 2003 to 2019, the suicide rate in Korea is ranked first almost every year, so it should be managed at the national level. To reduce the suicide rate, many scholars are studying suicide. The suicidal process begins with suicidal ideation, progresses through suicide attempts, and ends with suicide. Among them, the frequency of suicidal thoughts was found to be highly correlated with suicide plans and attempts, and it is said that 60% of those who change from suicidal ideation to attempts appear within one year. Therefore, research related to suicidal ideation to lower the suicide rate will contribute to preventing suicide at an early stage. ⋯ In the results of this study, it can be seen that a combination of factors such as a person's personality traits, stress or coping ability to various events, social support, and mental or physical limitations influence suicidal behavior. Suicidal ideation is not simply affected by a single factor but may be influenced by multiple factors.