Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2025
Prognostic Value of Ambulatory Status at Transplant in Older Heart Transplant Recipients: Implications for Organ Allocation Policy.
Shortage of organ donors in the Republic of Korea has become a major problem. To address this, it has been questioned whether heart transplant (HTx) allocation should be modified to reduce priority of older patients. We aimed to evaluate post-HTx outcomes according to recipient age and specific pre-HTx conditions using a nationwide prospective cohort. ⋯ Our results do not support use of age alone as an allocation criterion. Transplant candidate age in combination with some comorbidities such as non-ambulatory status may identify patients at a sufficiently elevated risk at which suitability of HTx should be reconsidered.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2025
Observational StudyManagement of a Large Nosocomial Outbreak From an Index of Crusted Scabies in a Tertiary Care Hospital, 2023: A Retrospective Observational Study.
In 2023, we experienced an outbreak from a case of undiagnosed crusted scabies, resulting in a significant number of exposed individuals and secondary cases. In this report, we describe the outbreak control measures, the attack rate, and the risk factors for acquisition of scabies among healthcare workers (HCWs). ⋯ Lowering the threshold for suspicion of crusted scabies is important, as a single missed case could lead to a large outbreak. Simultaneously applying preemptive permethrin cream to all potentially exposed individuals might have been effective in preventing further transmission. However, caution is needed because the development of scabies or persistent scabies is possible even with preemptive or therapeutic treatment.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2025
Risk of Kawasaki Disease/Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Following COVID-19 Vaccination in Korean Children: A Self-Controlled Case Series Study.
Rare cases of Kawasaki disease (KD) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) have been reported following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination; however, the association between COVID-19 vaccination and the risk of developing KD/MIS-C has not yet been established. ⋯ The results of this nationwide study suggest that the risk of developing KD/MIS-C did not increase after COVID-19 vaccination. However, owing to the lack of a sufficient number of cases, future studies utilizing multinational long-term follow-up databases should be conducted. Considering the increasing incidence of KD/MIS-C and the limited understanding of its precise biological mechanisms, additional research on KD/MIS-C is warranted.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2025
Factors Associated With Receiving Early Post-Discharge Follow-up Care in Patients With Schizophrenia.
Identifying factors associated with early post-discharge outpatient care is crucial to prevent relapse and suicide in patients with schizophrenia. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with receiving follow-up care within seven days after hospital discharge among patients with schizophrenia. ⋯ This study highlights the need to ensure continuity of care for patients with schizophrenia during discharge planning, with particular attention to vulnerable patients.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2025
Assessing Trainee Needs for Developing Response Scenarios and Training Manuals for Unknown Infectious Diseases: Insights From a Focus Group Interview.
This study employed focus group interviews (FGIs) to evaluate the preparedness and training requirements for an emerging infectious disease response system in the Republic of Korea. Based on the FGIs, the critical role of interdepartmental cooperation in responding to emerging infectious diseases was identified, with agencies such as public health centers, police, and fire services playing key roles in scene control, decontamination, and patient transport. ⋯ The absence of standardized procedures for managing patients, such as bed assignments considering underlying conditions and sample collection, underscores the need for comprehensive guidelines. Interviewees emphasized cross-departmental training, detailed manuals, and legal education to improve infectious disease response capabilities.