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Abstract Background Caregiving services often place a financial burden on individuals and households that use inpatient medical services. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the association between the type of caregiver and catastrophic health expenditure among households utilizing inpatient medical services. Methods Data were extracted from the Korea Health Panel Survey conducted in 2019. This study included 1126 households that used inpatient medical and caregiver services. These households were classified into three groups: formal caregivers, comprehensive nursing services, and informal caregivers. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the association between caregiver type and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). Results Households receiving formal caregiving had an increased likelihood of CHE at threshold levels of 40% compared to those who received care from family (formal caregiver: OR 3.11; CI 1.63–5.92). Compared to those who received formal caregiving, households using comprehensive nursing services (CNS) had a decreased likelihood of CHE (CNS: OR, 0.35; CI 0.15–0.82). In addition, considering the economic value associated with informal care, there was no significant relationship between households received formal caregiving and informal caregiving. Conclusion This study found that the association with CHE differed based on the type of caregiving used by each household. Households using formal care had a risk of developing CHE. Households using CNSs were likely to have a decreased association with CHE, compared to households using informal and formal caregivers. These findings highlight the need to expand policies to mitigate the burden on caregivers for households forced to use formal caregivers.

Background: Caregiving services often place a financial burden on individuals and households that use inpatient medical services. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the association between the type of caregiver and catastrophic health expenditure among households utilizing inpatient medical services. Methods: Data were extracted from the Korea Health Panel Survey conducted in 2019. This study included 1126 households that used inpatient medical and caregiver services. These households were classified into three groups: formal caregivers, comprehensive nursing services, and informal caregivers. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the association between caregiver type and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). Results: Households receiving formal caregiving had an increased likelihood of CHE at threshold levels of 40% compared to those who received care from family (formal caregiver: OR 3.11; CI 1.63–5.92). Compared to those who received formal caregiving, households using comprehensive nursing services (CNS) had a decreased likelihood of CHE (CNS: OR, 0.35; CI 0.15–0.82). In addition, considering the economic value associated with informal care, there was no significant relationship between households received formal caregiving and informal caregiving. Conclusion: This study found that the association with CHE differed based on the type of caregiving used by each household. Households using formal care had a risk of developing CHE. Households using CNSs were likely to have a decreased association with CHE, compared to households using informal and formal caregivers. These findings highlight the need to expand policies to mitigate the burden on caregivers for households forced to use formal caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: As is well known, cancer patients require extensive medical attention as they undergo surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and supportive care. The importance of high-quality cancer-directed nursing, combined with precision medicine, to maximize their survival outcomes and help them achieve a better quality of life cannot be overemphasized. In this context, we offered a new cancer-oriented comprehensive nursing system to our inpatients and reviewed its clinical outcomes in comparison with those from the preexisting general cancer ward. Materials and Methods: From March 2019 to February 2020, a total of 102 cancer patients and 42 nurses were enrolled in this pilot study. We aimed to analyze their performance in three main categories: structure, process, and patient/nurse outcomes. Results: First, structural (nurse staffing and environment) upgrades were installed in the cancer-oriented comprehensive nursing ward, including an improved nurse-patient ratio (1:8 in the comprehensive ward as compared with 1:14 in the general ward), wider space between beds (1.5 m versus 1.0 m), fully automatic beds with fall prevention sensors, etc. Second, the nursing process was improved (missed care 0.1 event/month vs. 1.3 event/month). Third, both patient and nurse outcomes showed preferable results in the comprehensive ward. The patient satisfaction level was higher in the comprehensive nursing ward than in the general ward (willing to revisit: 91.7% and 78.4%, respectively; willing to recommend to others: 95.0% and 76.8%, respectively). Pressure ulcers, as a patient safety indicator, were also decreased (0.3 events/month vs. 0.8 events/month). However, the fall incidence was similar in both groups (1.6 events/month vs. 1.5 events/month). In terms of nurse outcomes, turnover intention was stabilized and nurses' job satisfaction in the comprehensive ward was superior to that of their counterparts. Conclusions: Our study was a pilot study to demonstrate that cancer patient-oriented comprehensive nursing services can be helpful in improving the quality of cancer treatment and nurses' job satisfaction. Continued interest in and efforts to improve nursing care delivery are also crucial in achieving and maintaining the best possible cancer patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: As is well known, cancer patients require extensive medical attention as they undergo surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and supportive care. The importance of high-quality cancer-directed nursing, combined with precision medicine, to maximize their survival outcomes and help them achieve a better quality of life cannot be overemphasized. In this context, we offered a new cancer-oriented comprehensive nursing system to our inpatients and reviewed its clinical outcomes in comparison with those from the preexisting general cancer ward. Materials and Methods: From March 2019 to February 2020, a total of 102 cancer patients and 42 nurses were enrolled in this pilot study. We aimed to analyze their performance in three main categories: structure, process, and patient/nurse outcomes. Results: First, structural (nurse staffing and environment) upgrades were installed in the cancer-oriented comprehensive nursing ward, including an improved nurse-patient ratio (1:8 in the comprehensive ward as compared with 1:14 in the general ward), wider space between beds (1.5 m versus 1.0 m), fully automatic beds with fall prevention sensors, etc. Second, the nursing process was improved (missed care 0.1 event/month vs. 1.3 event/month). Third, both patient and nurse outcomes showed preferable results in the comprehensive ward. The patient satisfaction level was higher in the comprehensive nursing ward than in the general ward (willing to revisit: 91.7% and 78.4%, respectively; willing to recommend to others: 95.0% and 76.8%, respectively). Pressure ulcers, as a patient safety indicator, were also decreased (0.3 events/month vs. 0.8 events/month). However, the fall incidence was similar in both groups (1.6 events/month vs. 1.5 events/month). In terms of nurse outcomes, turnover intention was stabilized and nurses’ job satisfaction in the comprehensive ward was superior to that of their counterparts. Conclusions: Our study was a pilot study to demonstrate that cancer patient-oriented comprehensive nursing services can be helpful in improving the quality of cancer treatment and nurses’ job satisfaction. Continued interest in and efforts to improve nursing care delivery are also crucial in achieving and maintaining the best possible cancer patient care.

The Korean government has implemented a comprehensive nursing care service system (CNS) to mitigate the stress faced by caregivers. This study aimed to assess trends in the estimated average costs of private caregiving and determine the difference in costs between those using CNS and those not using it. A comparative interrupted time series analysis with a 2-year lag period verified total private caregiving cost trends; biannual differences in costs were evaluated based on using CNS. The main unit of analysis was episode. We extracted a total of 6418 episodes of hospitalization in acute care settings that included the use of caregiving services (formal, informal caregiving and CNS). We conducted segmented regression to assess the impact of CNS on total private caregiving costs using data from 2012 to 2018, excluding the years 2015 and 2016 of the Korean Health Panel dataset. We presented that the immediate mean difference in total private caregiving costs between CNS users and non-users was − 444.7 USD two years after the implementation of the CNS policy (95 % CI − 714.5 to − 174.5, p-value 0.001). Among individuals living in rural areas, two years after the implementation of the CNS policy, there was a significant immediate mean cost difference of − 476.9 USD in total private caregiving costs between CNS users and non-users (p-value 0.011). Similarly, for episodes with a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score of 0 to 1, there was a substantial immediate mean cost difference in total private caregiving costs between CNS users and non-users, amounting to − 399.9 USD two years after the CNS policy (p-value 0.008). This study evaluated the trend of total private caregiving costs between groups using and not using CNS. After two years of being covered by CNS health insurance, those who utilized CNS paid $433 less for their total private caregiving cost over a 6-month period, compared to those who did not use CNS. The adoption of CNS may be an effective system for relieving the financial burden on inpatients in need of private caregiving services. Korean Comprehensive Nursing Service reduces private caregiving costs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide basic research material necessary for the establishment of comprehensive nursing service units, through a comparative analysis of inpatient satisfaction with nursing between comprehensive nursing service and general units and the work stress of nurses. Methods: The survey participants were inpatients and nurses from 3 general hospitals in Busan, including 6 units, 123 nurses and 220 patients. Date collection was done through March and April 2016. Collected data were analyzed using test and independent t-test with SPSS 23 Win program. Results: Inpatients on comprehensive nursing service units had higher scores for satisfaction than inpatients on general units. There was no statistically significant difference in nurses' work stress between the two types of units. Conclusion: The findings indicate that although inpatient satisfaction with comprehensive nursing service units is higher than for general units, work stress for nurses is comparatively high for both types of units. While it is necessary to expand the implementation of comprehensive nursing service units, an institutional strategy for reducing nurses' work stress is required if the expansion is to be successful.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In some Asian and African countries, caregivers of patients are permitted to reside in hospital rooms and support the daily tasks of patient care. To solve the various problems that this system could cause, the Korean government has established a comprehensive nursing service, whereby caregivers are no longer permitted in the hospital and, instead, nurses provide all the patient care. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of the comprehensive nursing service, by surveying 1348 nurses to evaluate nursing outcomes—specifically, the Nurses' Assessment of Quality Scale, job satisfaction, and turnover intention. A total of 396 patients were also surveyed to determine patient outcome, in particular patient satisfaction. In the comprehensive nursing service ward, the total score on the Nurses' Assessment of Quality Scale, job satisfaction, and patient satisfaction scores were higher than in the non-comprehensive nursing service ward. Moreover, turnover intention was lower. All differences were statistically significant. The results of this study demonstrate that the decision to implement policy-based comprehensive nursing services has thus far been beneficial. In the future, the government should revise and supplement its policies through various socioeconomic assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]