Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Apr 2020
A Brief Telephone Severity Scoring System and Therapeutic Living Centers Solved Acute Hospital-Bed Shortage during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Daegu, Korea.
With the epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, the number of infected patients was rapidly increasing in Daegu, Korea. With a maximum of 741 new patients per day in the city as of February 29, 2020, hospital-bed shortage was a great challenge to the local healthcare system. We developed and applied a remote brief severity scoring system, administered by telephone for assigning priority for hospitalization and arranging for facility isolation ("therapeutic living centers") for the patients starting on February 29, 2020. ⋯ Only 81 cases (2.67%) were transferred to hospitals after facility isolation. We think that this brief severity scoring system for COVID-19 worked safely to solve the hospital-bed shortage. Telephone scoring of the severity of disease and therapeutic living centers could be very useful in overcoming the shortage of hospital-beds that occurs during outbreaks of infectious diseases.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Apr 2020
Iatrogenic Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome in Critically Ill Patients: a Retrospective Cohort Study.
Opioid withdrawal syndrome (OWS) may occur following the reduction or discontinuation of opioid analgesics. In critically ill pediatric patients, OWS is a common and clinically significant condition. However, OWS in adult patients has not been assessed in detail. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical features of OWS in mechanically ventilated patients treated in an adult intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ OWS is not uncommon in mechanically ventilated adult patients who received continuous infusion of opioids for > 3 days. The use of morphine may be associated with a decreased risk of OWS.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Apr 2020
The Emerging Crisis of Stakeholders in Implant-based Augmentation Mammaplasty in Korea.
Korea is no longer safe from the risk of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL); the first reported case was a Korean woman in her 40s who had a 7-year-history of receiving an implant-based augmentation mammaplasty using a textured implant. We conducted this study to discuss the emerging crisis of stakeholders in implant-based augmentation mammaplasty and to propose a multi-disciplinary approach to early detection of its complications. ⋯ Here, we propose the following approaches. First, patient data should be prospectively collected. By tracking outcomes and complications of an implant-based augmentation mammaplasty, both high-quality care and patient safety can be ensured. Second, stakeholders in implant-based augmentation mammaplasty should collaborate with customers and regulatory authorities. Third, surgeons should consider applying imaging modalities for early detection of postoperative complications.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Apr 2020
Optimal Cut-Off Value of the Coracohumeral Ligament Area as a Morphological Parameter to Confirm Frozen Shoulder.
Thickened coracohumeral ligament (CHL) is one of the important morphological changes of frozen shoulder (FS). Previous research reported that coracohumeral ligament thickness (CHLT) is correlated with anterior glenohumeral instability, rotator interval and eventually FS. However, thickness may change depending on the cutting angle, and measurement point. To reduce measurement mistakes, we devised a new imaging criteria, called the coracohumeral ligament area (CHLA). ⋯ The significantly positive correlation between the CHLA, CHLT and FS was found. We also demonstrate that the CHLA has statistically equivalent power to CHLT. Thus, for diagnosis of FS, the treating physician can refer to CHLA as well as CHLT.