Global Trends of Regional Health Information Systems and Suggested Strategic Utilization of their Medical Information / 대한의료정보학회지

Objectives@#Along with the exponentially-growing data produced and accumulated every day through mobile platforms, social networking services, the Internet, and other media, information is becoming increasingly important as a strategic resource. This report presents specific and clear directions and suggests empirical project plans regarding innovations in regional health information systems to promote the utilization of medical information. @*Methods@#We reviewed and examined documents about global trends and examples of regional health information systems. The problems and solutions of health information utilization and regional health information systems in Korea were analyzed. @*Results@#This study presented examples of the establishment of health information systems, problems in the use of local healthcare information, and an empirical project for improvement. @*Conclusions@#The results of this study imply the need for long-term and systematic approaches for the use of medical information and the establishment of a local healthcare information system, along with implementation plans. As a first step, it is imperative to clarify the goal of building a medical information system, the information that must be provided to build the system, and the data that should be collected to provide such information, while moving away from the mentality of focusing on technology-oriented medical information services. In addition, it is necessary to consider information governance, data-based service development, and the medical innovation framework, which are ways to efficiently manage, utilize, and systemize the data to be collected.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Postoperative Rehabilitation in Older Patients With Hip Fractures

Objective@#The incidence of hip fractures is increasing worldwide with the aging population, causing a challenge to healthcare systems due to the associated morbidities and high risk of mortality. After hip fractures in frail geriatric patients, existing comorbidities worsen and new complications are prone to occur. Comprehensive rehabilitation is essential for promoting physical function recovery and minimizing complications, which can be achieved through a multidisciplinary approach. Recommendations are required to assist healthcare providers in making decisions on rehabilitation post-surgery. Clinical practice guidelines regarding rehabilitation (physical and occupational therapies) and management of comorbidities/complications in the postoperative phase of hip fractures have not been developed. This guideline aimed to provide evidence-based recommendations for various treatment items required for proper recovery after hip fracture surgeries. Methods Reflecting the complex perspectives associated with rehabilitation post-hip surgeries, 15 key questions (KQs) reflecting the complex perspectives associated with post-hip surgery rehabilitation were categorized into four areas: multidisciplinary, rehabilitation, community-care, and comorbidities/complications. Relevant literature from four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed) was searched for articles published up to February 2020. The evidence level and recommended grade were determined according to the grade of recommendation assessment, development, and evaluation method. Results A multidisciplinary approach, progressive resistance exercises, and balance training are strongly recommended. Early ambulation, weigh-bearing exercises, activities of daily living training, community-level rehabilitation, management of comorbidities/complication prevention, and nutritional support were also suggested. This multidisciplinary approach reduced the total healthcare cost. @*Conclusion@#This guideline presents comprehensive recommendations for the rehabilitation of adult patients after hip fracture surgery.

Global Trends of Regional Health Information Systems and Suggested Strategic Utilization of their Medical Information / 대한의료정보학회지

Objectives@#Along with the exponentially-growing data produced and accumulated every day through mobile platforms, social networking services, the Internet, and other media, information is becoming increasingly important as a strategic resource. This report presents specific and clear directions and suggests empirical project plans regarding innovations in regional health information systems to promote the utilization of medical information. @*Methods@#We reviewed and examined documents about global trends and examples of regional health information systems. The problems and solutions of health information utilization and regional health information systems in Korea were analyzed. @*Results@#This study presented examples of the establishment of health information systems, problems in the use of local healthcare information, and an empirical project for improvement. @*Conclusions@#The results of this study imply the need for long-term and systematic approaches for the use of medical information and the establishment of a local healthcare information system, along with implementation plans. As a first step, it is imperative to clarify the goal of building a medical information system, the information that must be provided to build the system, and the data that should be collected to provide such information, while moving away from the mentality of focusing on technology-oriented medical information services. In addition, it is necessary to consider information governance, data-based service development, and the medical innovation framework, which are ways to efficiently manage, utilize, and systemize the data to be collected.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Postoperative Rehabilitation in Older Patients With Hip Fractures

Objective@#The incidence of hip fractures is increasing worldwide with the aging population, causing a challenge to healthcare systems due to the associated morbidities and high risk of mortality. After hip fractures in frail geriatric patients, existing comorbidities worsen and new complications are prone to occur. Comprehensive rehabilitation is essential for promoting physical function recovery and minimizing complications, which can be achieved through a multidisciplinary approach. Recommendations are required to assist healthcare providers in making decisions on rehabilitation post-surgery. Clinical practice guidelines regarding rehabilitation (physical and occupational therapies) and management of comorbidities/complications in the postoperative phase of hip fractures have not been developed. This guideline aimed to provide evidence-based recommendations for various treatment items required for proper recovery after hip fracture surgeries. Methods Reflecting the complex perspectives associated with rehabilitation post-hip surgeries, 15 key questions (KQs) reflecting the complex perspectives associated with post-hip surgery rehabilitation were categorized into four areas: multidisciplinary, rehabilitation, community-care, and comorbidities/complications. Relevant literature from four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed) was searched for articles published up to February 2020. The evidence level and recommended grade were determined according to the grade of recommendation assessment, development, and evaluation method. Results A multidisciplinary approach, progressive resistance exercises, and balance training are strongly recommended. Early ambulation, weigh-bearing exercises, activities of daily living training, community-level rehabilitation, management of comorbidities/complication prevention, and nutritional support were also suggested. This multidisciplinary approach reduced the total healthcare cost. @*Conclusion@#This guideline presents comprehensive recommendations for the rehabilitation of adult patients after hip fracture surgery.

Acute Pseudobulbar Palsy After Bilateral Paramedian Thalamic Infarction: A Case Report

Bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction is a rare subtype of stroke caused by occlusion of the artery of Percheron, an uncommon variant originating from one of the posterior cerebral arteries. This type of stroke has several major clinical presentations: altered mental status, behavioral amnestic impairment, aphasia or dysarthria, ocular movement disorders, motor deficits, cerebellar signs, and others. Few cases of bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction-related pseudobulbar palsy characterized by dysarthria, dysphagia, and facial and tongue weakness have been reported. We report here a rare case of acute severe pseudobulbar palsy as a manifestation of bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction.

Hepatic Encephalopathy With Corticospinal Tract Involvement Demonstrated by Diffusion Tensor Tractography

A 50-year-old man with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varix for 3 years was diagnosed with hematemesis and treated for a bleeding varix. However, bleeding recurred 11 days later, and he developed drowsiness with left hemiparesis. His left upper and lower extremity muscle strengths based on the manual muscle test at the onset were grade 2/5 and 1/5, respectively. The Babinski sign was positive. His serum ammonia level was elevated to 129.9 microg/dL (normal, 20-80 microg/dL). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed restriction on diffusion and T2-hyperintensities with decreased apparent diffusion coefficient values in the bilateral frontoparietooccipital cortex. The effect was more severe in the right hemisphere and right parietooccipital cortices, which were compatible with hepatic encephalopathy. Although the patient's mental status recovered, significant left-sided weakness and sensory deficit persisted even after 6 months. Diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) performed 3 months post-onset showed decreased volume of the right corticospinal tract. We reported a patient with hepatic encephalopathy involving the corticospinal tract by DTT.

Can MRI Findings Help to Predict Neurological Recovery in Paraplegics With Thoracolumbar Fracture?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the prognosis of neurological recovery in paraplegics with thoracolumbar fracture using association analysis with clinical outcomes and electrodiagnostic features. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 30 patients treated for paraplegia following thoracolumbar fracture. On axial and sagittal T2-weighted MRI scans, nerve root sedimentation sign, root aggregation sign, and signal intensity changes in the conus medullaris were independently assessed by two raters. A positive sedimentation sign was defined as the absence of nerve root sedimentation. The root aggregation sign was defined as the presence of root aggregation in at least one axial MRI scan. Clinical outcomes including the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale, ambulatory capacity, and electrodiagnostic features were used for association analysis. RESULTS: Inter-rater reliability of the nerve root sedimentation sign and the root aggregation sign were kappa=0.67 (p=0.001) and kappa=0.78 (p<0.001), respectively. A positive sedimentation sign was significantly associated with recovery of ambulatory capacity after a rehabilitation program (chi2=4.854, p=0.028). The presence of the root aggregation sign was associated with reduced compound muscle action potential amplitude of common peroneal and tibial nerves in nerve conduction studies (chi2=5.026, p=0.025). CONCLUSION: A positive sedimentation sign was significantly associated with recovery of ambulatory capacity and not indicative of persistent paralysis. The root aggregation sign suggested the existence of significant cauda equina injuries.

Rehabilitation after shoulder surgery

The goal of rehabilitation after shoulder surgery is to achieve optimal healing of the repaired tissue while restoring pain-free motion and function. Recently, as the incidence of shoulder surgery is increased, the rehabilitation protocol after shoulder surgery has become as important as the surgery itself for the success of treatment. As surgical techniques and materials have been developed, the tissue quality of the repaired tissue and the structural integrity of the shoulder joint have tended to be emphasized during rehabilitation after shoulder surgery. The guiding principles for successful rehabilitation after shoulder surgery are as follows; a thorough understanding of the surgical procedure; a thorough understanding of the anatomic structures that must be protected; how they are stressed, and the rate at which they heal; the appropriate selection and skilled application techniques to impart varying levels of stress to the healing tissues; and the appropriate management of the initial immobilization period and the rate of range-of-motion progression.

Rehabilitation after shoulder surgery

The goal of rehabilitation after shoulder surgery is to achieve optimal healing of the repaired tissue while restoring pain-free motion and function. Recently, as the incidence of shoulder surgery is increased, the rehabilitation protocol after shoulder surgery has become as important as the surgery itself for the success of treatment. As surgical techniques and materials have been developed, the tissue quality of the repaired tissue and the structural integrity of the shoulder joint have tended to be emphasized during rehabilitation after shoulder surgery. The guiding principles for successful rehabilitation after shoulder surgery are as follows; a thorough understanding of the surgical procedure; a thorough understanding of the anatomic structures that must be protected; how they are stressed, and the rate at which they heal; the appropriate selection and skilled application techniques to impart varying levels of stress to the healing tissues; and the appropriate management of the initial immobilization period and the rate of range-of-motion progression.

Pathophysiology of degenerative spinal disease causing lumbar and cervical spinal pain

As degenerative spinal disease among spinal diseases causing lumbar and cervical spinal pain is the endless repetition of "the biological healing of mechanical damage" occurring over a lifetime, spinal pain by degenerative spinal disease occurs as a series of successive changes through the repetitive damage-healing process of various spinal structures including the intervertebral disc rather than a temporary phenomenon of any given pathophysiologic change in one moment. Degenerative spinal disease generally begins with degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Then herniation of the intervertebral disc resulting in subsequent radicular pain occurs when the nucleus pulposus with degeneration located in the intervertebral disc tears and penetrates the annulus fibrosus. Subsequently, disc space narrowing occurs and alters the spinal biomechanics, followed by degenerative changes to the vertebral endplate, vertebra itself, and facet joint. Finally, these changes lead to spinal stenosis, which is the final destination of degenerative spine disease. Although the exact pathogenesis of spinal pain could be still unclear because of some inconsistencies between the degenerative changes in the spine and the clinical manifestations of spinal pain, an accurate understanding of the pathophysiology and future predictions for further mechanical injury as well as thorough history taking and careful attention to the long-term clinical courses and other associated risk factors including daily life posture and work posture are needed for successful treatment of spinal pain.

The Location of Multifidus Atrophy in Patients With a Single Level, Unilateral Lumbar Radiculopathy

OBJECTIVE: To identify the correlations between the location of multifidus atrophy and the level of lumbar radiculopathy. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients who had unilateral L4 or L5 radiculopathy were divided into 2 groups; the L4 radiculopathy (L4 RAD) group and the L5 radiculopathy (L5 RAD) group. Bilateral lumbar multifidus muscles at the mid-spinous process level of L4 vertebra (L4 MSP), the mid-spinous process level of L5 vertebra (L5 MSP), and the mid-sacral crest level of S1 vertebra (S1 MSC) were detected in T1 axial magnetic resonance imaging. The total muscle cross-sectional area of multifidus muscles (TMCSA) and the pure muscle cross-sectional area of multifidus muscles (PMCSA) were measured by a computerized analysis program, and the ratio of PMCSA to TMCSA (PMCSA/TMCSA) was calculated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in TMCSA between the involved and the uninvolved sides in both groups. PMCSA was only significantly smaller at the S1 MSC on the involved side as compared with the uninvolved side in the L5 RAD group. The ratio of PMCSA to TMCSA was the lowest at the L5 MSP on the involved side in the L4 RAD group and at the S1 MSC on the involved side in the L5 RAD group. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the most severe atrophy of multifidus muscle may occur at the mid-spinous process or mid-sacral crest level of the vertebra which is one level below the segmental number of the involved nerve root in patients with a single-level, unilateral lumbar radiculopathy.

Cervical Pedicle Screw Placement in Sawbone Models and Unstable Cervical Traumatic Lesions by Using Para-Articular Mini-Laminotomy: A Novice Neurosurgeon's Experience / 대한신경손상학회지

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was conducted to analyze the novice neurosurgeon's experience of cervical pedicle screw placement by using the technique with direct exposure of pedicle via para-articular mini-laminotomy. METHODS: Fifteen sawbone models of subaxial spine were used (124 pedicles) to evaluate efficacy of repetitive training improving accuracy of cervical pedicle screw insertion. After that, we retrospectively reviewed 9 consecutive patients presented with traumatic cervical lesion. A total 38 cervical pedicle screws had been inserted. We analyzed the direction and grade of pedicle perforation on the postoperative computed tomography scan, and learning curve by using sawbone model. RESULTS: In sawbone model group, the correct position was found in 102 (82.3%) screws, and the incorrect position in 22 (17.7%) screws. The incidence of incorrect screw position was 26.9% in the initial 9 sawbone model, and 0% after that. Among the 38 screws inserted in 9 patients, the correct position was found in 36 (94.7%) screws, and the incorrect position in a 2 (5.3%) screw. There was no neurovascular complications related with cervical pedicle screw insertion. CONCLUSION: In vitro training to insert pedicle screw by using sawbone models could improve an accuracy of cervical pedicle screw placement by using this technique. Preliminary result revealed that cervical pedicle screw placement would be feasible and provide good clinical results in traumatic cervical lesions.

Thoracic Infectious Spondylitis After Surgical Treatments of Herniated Lumbar Intervertebral Disc

The postoperative infectious spondylitis has been reported to occur among every 1% to 12%. It is difficult to early diagnose in some cases. If the diagnosis is delayed, it can be a life-threatening condition. We report a 32-year-old male patient with postoperative infectious spondylitis. He had surgical treatments for traumatic intervertebral disc herniations in L3-4 and L4-5. Three weeks after surgery, he complained for fever and paraplegia. Cervicothoracic magnetic resonance imaging showed the collapsed T2 and T3 vertebral body with changes of bone marrow signal intensity. Moreover, it showed anterior and posterior epidural masses causing spinal cord compressions which suggested infectious spondylitis. After the use of antibiotics and surgical decompressions T2-T3, his general conditions were improved and muscle power of lower extremities began to be gradually restored. However, we could not identify the exact organisms that may be the cause of infectious spondylitis. It could be important that the infectious spondylitis, which is presented away from the primary operative level, should be observed in patients with fevers of unknown origin and paraplegia.

The Cervical Range of Motion as a Factor Affecting Outcome in Patients With Congenital Muscular Torticollis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors affecting rehabilitation outcomes in children with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 347 patients who were clinically suspected as having CMT and performed neck ultrasonography to measure sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle thickness. Fifty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. Included were demographic characteristics as well as measurements of cervical range of motion (ROM), SCM muscle thickness, and the abnormal/normal (A/N) ratio, defined as the ratio of SCM muscle thickness on the affected to the unaffected side. RESULTS: Subjects were divided into three groups depending on degree of cervical ROM (group 1A: ROM>60, n=12; group 1B: 60> or =ROM>30, n=31; group 1C: ROM or =1.4 cm, n=13), and the A/N ratio (R) (group 3A: R or =2.8, n=15). We found that more limited cervical ROM corresponded to longer treatment duration. The average treatment duration was 4.55 months in group 1A, 5.87 months in group 1B, and 6.50 months in group 1C. SCM muscle thickness and the A/N ratio were not correlated with treatment duration. CONCLUSION: Infants with CMT who were diagnosed earlier and had an earlier intervention had a shorter duration of rehabilitation. Initial cervical ROM is an important prognostic factor for predicting the rehabilitation outcome of patients with CMT.

Cefepime Neurotoxicity in Patients with Renal Insufficiency

Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin that is active against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. It is administered parenterally for the treatment of severe infections. Approximately 85% of the drug is excreted unchanged by the kidneys. Neurotoxicity in patients with renal failure who are treated with cefepime has been reported sporadically. We report on two senile patients with renal impairment who developed neurotoxicity including lethal outcome after treatment with cefepime.

Magnetic Resonance Findings of Acute Severe Lower Back Pain

OBJECTIVE: To determine abnormal MRI findings in adults hospitalized with acute severe axial LBP. METHOD: Sixty patients with back pain were divided into 3 groups consisting of 1) 23 adults with acute axial severe LBP who could not sit up or stand up for several days, but had not experienced previous back-related diseases or trauma (group A), 2) 19 adults who had been involved in a minor traffic accident, and had mild symptoms but not limited mobility (group B), and 3) 18 adults with LBP with radicular pain (group C)., Various MRI findings were assessed among the above 3 groups and compared as follows: disc herniation (protrusion, extrusion), lumbar disc degeneration (LDD), annular tear, high intensity zone (HIZ), and endplate changes. RESULTS: The MRI findings of A group were as follows: disc herniation (87%), LDD (100%), annular tear (100%), HIZ (61%), and end plate changes (4.4%). The findings of disc herniation, annular tear, HIZ, and LDD were more prevalent in A group than in B group (p<0.01). HIZ findings were more prevalent in A group than in group B or group C (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with acute severe axial LBP were more likely to have disc herniation, LDD, annular tear, HIZ. Among LBP groups, there was a significant association of HIZ on MRI with acute severe axial LBP.

Use of Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study in Patients with Aspiration Pneumonia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of dysphagic elderly Korean patients diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia as well as to examine the necessity of performing a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) in order to confirm the presence of dysphagia in such patients. METHOD: The medical records of dysphagic elderly Korean subjects diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia were retrospectively reviewed for demographic and clinical characteristics as well as for VFSS findings. RESULTS: In total, medical records of 105 elderly patients (81 men and 24 women) were reviewed in this study. Of the 105 patients, 82.9% (n=87) were admitted via the emergency department, and 41.0% (n=43) were confined to a bed. Eighty percent (n=84) of the 105 patients were diagnosed with brain disorders, and 68.6% (n=72) involved more than one systemic disease, such as diabetes mellitus, cancers, chronic cardiopulmonary disorders, chronic renal disorders, and chronic liver disorders. Only 66.7% (n=70) of the 105 patients underwent VFSS, all of which showed abnormal findings during the oral or pharyngeal phase, or both. CONCLUSION: In this study, among 105 dysphagic elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia, only 66.7% (n=70) underwent VFSS in order to confirm the presence of dysphagia. As observed in this study, the evaluation of dysphagia is essential in order to consider elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia, particularly in patients with poor functional status, brain disorders, or more than one systemic disease. A greater awareness of dysphagia in the elderly, as well as the diagnostic procedures thereof, particularly VFSS, is needed among medical professionals in Korea.

The Relation between Postvoid Residual and Occurrence of Urinary Tract Infection after Stroke in Rehabilitation Unit

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relation between postvoid residual (PVR) and the occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in stroke patients. METHOD: One hundred and eighty-eight stroke patients who were admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit and who did not have UTI on admission (105 males, 83 females, mean age 67.1 years) were included in this study. The PVR was measured 3 times within 72 hours after admission. Mean PVR, demographic variables, K-MMSE (Korean Mini-Mental State Examination), initial K-MBI (Korean Modified Barthel Index), Foley catheter indwelling time and stroke type were defined and the relation to the occurrence of UTI was analyzed. RESULTS: UTI occurred in 74 patients (39.4%) during admission to the rehabilitation unit. There were significant differences between the UTI and non-UTI groups in K-MMSE, K-MBI, Foley catheter indwelling time (p<0.01). However, age, gender, stroke location and type were not associated. The occurrence of UTI was 4.87 times higher in the patients with a mean PVR over 100 ml than in those with a mean PVR <100 ml. The mean PVR was 106.5 ml in the UTI group, while it was 62.7 ml in the non-UTI group (p<0.01). PVR was not associated with age. CONCLUSION: The UTI rate is higher when the mean PVR is over 100 ml irrespective of gender and age. Close monitoring of PVR and appropriate intervention is needed to reduce the occurrence of UTI in stroke patients.

Morphological Changes in Disused and Denervated Old Rat Achilles Tendon Fibrils

BACKGROUND: This study tried to compare the morphological changes of collagen fibrils between disused and denervated old rat Achilles tendons with those of young rats through quantitative analyses of collagen fibril diameters by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). METHODS: Old (18 months old) and young (6 months old) male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups (n=8 in each group): a control group, a complete denervation group for 4 weeks after the transection of the right sciatic nerve, and a disuse group with hindlimb unweighing by tail suspension. Each explanted Achilles tendon was used for TEM observation. Under TEM, quantitative analyses of collagen fibril diameters were performed. RESULTS: All groups comprising old rats had smaller mean diameters and showed more left-shifted distribution of collagen fibril diameters than young rats. In particular, the disuse group of old rats showed a more prominent mean fibril diameter decrease than young rats. CONCLUSION: Disuse might cause a more prominent decrease of collagen fibril size in the old than the young.

Usefulness of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) in Ataxic Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: To examine the usefulness of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) in ataxic stroke patients. METHOD: This was a retrospective study of 54 patients following their first ataxic stroke. The data used in the analysis comprised ambulation status on admission and scores on the SARA, the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The subjects were divided into four groups by gait status and into five groups by level of dependency in activities of daily living (ADLs) based on their K-MBI scores. Data were subjected to a ROC curve analysis to obtain cutoff values on the SARA for individual gait status and levels of activity dependency. The correlations between the SARA, K-MBI and BBS scores were also computed. RESULTS: There was significant correlation between the SARA and the K-MBI scores (p<0.001), and this correlation (r=-0.792) was higher than that found between the BBS and the K-MBI scores (r=0.710). The SARA scores of upper extremity ataxia categories were significantly related to the K-MBI scores of upper extremity related function (p<0.001). The SARA scores were also significantly correlated negatively with ambulation status (p<0.001) and positively with ADL dependency (p<0.001). In the ROC analysis, patients with less than 5.5 points on the SARA had minimal dependency in ADL, while those with more than 23 points showed total dependency. CONCLUSION: SARA corresponds well with gait status and ADL dependency in ataxic stroke patients and is considered to be a useful functional measure in that patient group.