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Purpose: Mangled injury is defined as severe injury, including three or more tissues such as bones, nerves, vessels, muscles, and tendons in the upper or lower extremities. The choice of treatment results in different cosmetic and functional outcomes for mangled injury. In this study, we estimated patients’ quality of life after treatment with the future intention of having patients make proper decisions at the time of injury. Methods: Twenty patients were treated at Asan Medical Center from January, 2009 to November, 2011, and 11 patients were included who agreed with the questionnaire. We used 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) for estimating quality of life after treatments. Results: Subjective satisfaction of cosmetic and functional aspects was higher in the reconstruction group than in the amputation group. However, in the estimation of specified satisfaction using SF-36, the amputation group was more satisfied than the reconstruction group. Conclusion: Among the many treatment considerations at the time of injury, expected cosmetic and functional outcomes were important parts determining the decision. In our study, the amputation group showed a better satisfaction level. This result could help patients make more appropriate decisions in the case of mangled injury.

Purpose: This study identifies risks for pressure ulcer in patients admitted to surgical intensive care units because of severe traumatic injuries with injury severity scores of 15 or higher. Methods: Data was collected from records of patients admitted from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2013. The analysis addressed general characteristics, trauma-related characteristics, and treatment-related characteristics of pressure ulcers. Descriptive statistics include the raw numbers, percentages, and the standard deviations. Hypothesis tests including t-tests, chi-square tests, and multi-regression analyses were performed using SPSS ver.dow 12.0. Results: Two hundred and fifty-nine patients were admitted to surgical intensive care units with severe trauma injuries. Of those, 44 patients (17.0%) had a pressure ulcer. The mean pressure ulcer duration was 8.4 days. The most common pressure ulcer was the second phase ulcer at 51.9%. Risk factors were found to be age (p

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the incidence rate, types and risk factors for delirium in patients admitted to the surgical Step-Down Unit (SDU). Methods This study was a retrospective study of the electronic medical records of patients admitted to a surgical SDU from February 2020 to July 2020. The delirium assessment was conducted using the short Confusion Assessment Method (a tool that allows quick and easy screening of delirium) and the incidence and risk factors for delirium were determined. Results Among a total of 227 patients in the study, the incidence rate of delirium was 35 cases (16.7%). It predominantly occurred on the first day (n = 16, 45.7%) and the second day of admission (n = 15, 42.8%). The peak occurrence of delirium was between 14:00 and 22:00 (n = 30, 85.7%). The most common type of delirium was hypoactive (n = 19, 54.3%). The results of multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the factors influencing the occurrence of delirium in the surgical step down unit (SDU) were age, hypertension, stroke, white blood cell count, and the use of restraints. Conclusion Considering the characteristics of high-risk groups for delirium in the surgical SDU, it is necessary to establish nursing practice guidelines to minimize delirium.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of using a systematic approach to tracheostomy care by a clinical nurse specialist and surgical intensivists for patients with a tracheostomy who were transferred from the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) to the general ward. Methods: In this retrospective study, subjects were limited to SICU patients with a tracheostomy who were transferred to the general ward. The study period was divided into a preintervention period (January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010) and a postintervention period (January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014), and electronic medical records were used to analyze and compare patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, and readmission to the SICU. Results: The analysis included 44 patients in the preintervention group and 96 patients in the postintervention group. Decannulation time (26.7±25.1 vs. 12.1±16.0 days, P=0.003),length of stay in the general ward (70.6±89.1 vs. 40.5±42.2 days, P=0.008), length of total hospital stay (107.5±95.6 vs. 74.7±51.2 days, P=0.009), and readmission rate of SICU decreased due to T-cannula occlusion (58.8% vs. 5.9%, P=0.010). Conclusions: Using a systematic approach to tracheostomy care in the general ward led to reduction in decannulation time through professional management, which resulted in a shorter hospital stay. It also lowered SICU readmission by solving problems related to direct T-cannula.