This article provides an overview of Korea’s National Radiological Emergency Medical System, which coordinates medical responses to radiological emergencies through specialized infrastructure, training, and research.

The system’s recent advancements are outlined, focusing on a nationwide network of emergency medical institutions and improvements in education, training, and research to enhance preparedness for radiological emergencies.

The National Radiation Emergency Medical Center (NREMC) manages 31 designated emergency medical institutions, providing specialized training for first responders and medical personnel. Virtual reality tools have been integrated into training programs to improve instructional effectiveness. A hotline offers immediate support for radiation exposure cases and public consultations during non-emergency periods. Additionally, the NREMC employs internationally accredited physical and biological dosimetry methods and strengthens its expertise through collaborations with global organizations.

Continuous advancements in medical response, training, and international cooperation enhance Korea’s radiological emergency preparedness. Ongoing research and technology integration ensure effective emergency interventions and long-term public health protection.

On June 6, 2017, an accident occurred at the JAEA’s Oarai Research and Development Center, where 5 workers inhaled plutonium. This study aims to evaluate the validity of the internal dose assessments conducted by the QST and to share the findings with the dosimetry community.

In vivo measurements (lungs and liver) and bioassays were performed. The particle size of the inhaled material was estimated based on the ratio of early fecal excretion to residual lung content. The absorption types of Pu and 241Am were evaluated using urinary excretion levels from bioassay results of early fecal and pre-Ca- DTPA urine samples.

The estimated particle sizes of the inhaled materials were over 10 μm and several micrometers for 2 workers, respectively. The absorption types were evaluated as intermediate between M (Moderate) and S (Slow). A change in urinary excretion levels between before and after Ca-DTPA administration was observed, with the most significant reduction occurring after the initial treatment, followed by smaller changes.

The internal dose assessments for the 5 workers were confirmed to be conservatively conducted within a reasonable range. Comprehensive individual monitoring in cases of internal contamination by actinide is crucial to reducing uncertainties in dose assessment.

Cost-effectiveness analyses are used to help to inform resource-allocation decision-making in healthcare systems. The manufacturers of new health technologies may choose to employ “early cost-effectiveness analysis” (eCEA) to inform the technology development process in anticipation of a value-based assessment if and when the technology is launched. We aim to provide guidance on how eCEA can effectively inform health technology development processes, presenting novel methodological approaches to address key decision-making questions.

We present three core health technology development questions that eCEAs can address, as well as recommendations for deriving and presenting insights from eCEA models. A hypothetical treatment for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) called “dummymab” demonstrates the analytic techniques and presentation formats.

We provide guidance for addressing: 1. What is a health technology’s value-based price (VBP) under a range of scenarios? 2. To what extent do different attributes of the technology contribute to its value? 3. Regarding what model parameters is further evidence most valuable? A novel net benefit approach for value driver analysis provides more reliable estimates than traditional ‘switch-on’ methods by avoiding parameter interaction effects. The manufacturer-perspective value-of-information framework enables evidence prioritization aligned with commercial decision-making while maintaining cost-effectiveness principles.

eCEA can systematically inform technology development through value-based price estimation, value driver identification, and evidence prioritization. Implementing development decision-making based on eCEA insights can foster alignment with value-based principles of HTA-orientated decision-making systems while supporting more efficient resource allocation in technology development.

We evaluated whether patient perceptions of cleanliness are associated with objective measures of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), as an early indicator of facility-level CDI rates and prevention.

Cross-sectional analysis of Medicare-certified hospitals across the United States.

Data from the CMS Hospital Compare website and U.S. Census Bureau from 2023 were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models. The primary outcome was C. difficile standardized infection ratios (SIRs) compared to the national average. The primary exposure was patient-rated cleanliness star ratings from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey.

The population studied was 3,616 medicare-certified hospitals with an estimated 17,994,034 unique patient admissions. There was no association between better patient-rated cleanliness and improved CDI performance. Facilities with a 5-star cleanliness rating were not more likely to have an SIR less than or equal to the national average compared to those with a lower star rating. For every 1% increase in patients who reported their room and bathroom as always clean, the odds of CDI observed cases being higher than predicted increases by 4.2% (ie, increasing patient-related cleanliness was weakly associated with worse CDI performance).

Patient-rated cleanliness was not associated with improved CDI performance in U.S. national hospital data. Findings were consistent across multiple operationalizations of cleanliness and CDI suggesting patient perceptions of cleanliness are not a strong indicator of CDI control measure performance.

Disaster medicine (DM) prepares health care professionals to manage emergencies caused by significant societal disruptions. Training recent graduates and final-year students is an essential element of disaster preparedness. This review aims to examine the use of Virtual Simulation (VS) in undergraduate students’ DM training.

The research team searched Scopus, PubMed, WOS, and Scielo. The team followed the 6-step approach described by Mak to conduct Scoping Reviews. We identified 262 reports, and 17 articles met the inclusion criteria. We extracted and analyzed data, focusing on educational settings, professions involved, and intervention characteristics. The report followed PRISMA guidelines.

The implementation of VS in DM training has been geographically concentrated, with most studies focused on nursing education. Most programs use virtual reality, with limited augmented or mixed reality integration, principally in nursing students. The training focused primarily on triage, disaster preparedness, evacuation, decontamination, improving knowledge retention, self-confidence, and decision-making.

Although VS has effectively enhanced technical skills and disaster preparedness, its use remains limited in undergraduate health education. Further research is needed to expand its application in interprofessional and non-nursing contexts, with deliberate practice principles to maximize efficiency. Integrating VS into community training can reduce costs and enhance large-scale emergency response.

Access to quality healthcare is often limited in rural and underserved areas, leading to higher rates of preventable diseases, avoidable hospitalizations, and mortality. Virtual health clinics, utilizing telehealth and telemedicine technologies, offer a promising solution to bridge these gaps. This scoping review aimed to systematically identify and analyze the benefits, outcomes, and service range of virtual clinics in remote and underserved settings.

This scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O’Malley’s six-stage framework. Relevant literature was searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google, and Google Scholar. Data were extracted using a standardized charting form and thematically analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s method with MAXQDA software.

A total of 38 benefits of virtual clinics were identified, primarily related to improved access to health services, reduced costs, and decreased patient travel. In the domain of governance and leadership, enhanced governmental support and optimal resource allocation were reported. For human resources, improved communication and training were emphasized. Moreover, the use of local technologies, remote medication ordering, and digital record-keeping demonstrated a significant impact, particularly in middle- and high-income countries.

Virtual clinics can effectively enhance the quality and accessibility of health services in underserved areas and play an important role in reducing health inequities.

We evaluated the olfactory fossa and Keros classification in patients with unilateral mucosal contact points in septal deviation.

Paranasal sinus computed tomography images of 60 patients with mucosal contact points on the septum were compared with those of the control group (N = 60). The Keros types, septal deviation angles, mucosal contact point angles, olfactory fossa widths and depths, crista galli lengths, widths and pneumatisations, as well as the presence of anatomical variations, were analysed.

The depth of the olfactory fossa contralateral to the mucosal contact point was greater in patients with septal deviation compared to those without (p < 0.05). A significant correlation was found between increased crista galli height and a higher Keros degree on the right side (p < 0.05).

The presence and differences of mucosal contact points should alert surgeons both before and during the surgical procedure, and further studies on this topic are of great importance.

To assess interagency emergency response capabilities for radiological threats through a tabletop exercise (TTX) simulating a nuclear power plant accident, with focus on communication protocols, patient referral pathways, and public information management in Ukraine’s current security context.

A structured 3-day TTX was conducted in September 2024 by the WHO Ukraine Country Office, simulating a cooling system failure at a fictional North-West Nuclear Power Plant. Twelve organizations participated, including regional health authorities, emergency services, and international partners. The exercise employed a progressive scenario that injects testing accident notification, media management, medical response, and evacuation procedures. Performance was evaluated using structured criteria (Achieved, Partially Achieved, Not Achieved) across predefined indicators.

The exercise identified critical preparedness gaps including the absence of regular radiological-nuclear emergency drills in regions without nuclear facilities, challenges in potassium iodide procurement and distribution, staff hesitancy due to inadequate insurance coverage, and lack of standardized decontamination procedures. Communication protocols functioned effectively, though coordination delays were noted. Patient referral pathways required strengthening, particularly for contaminated casualties.

While Ukraine demonstrates functional emergency response frameworks, specific radiological preparedness requires enhancement. Regular multiagency drills, improved staff protection policies, standardized decontamination protocols, and robust public information systems are essential for effective radiological emergency response.

Skin picking disorder is characterized by repetitive excoriation of one’s skin. Although skin picking disorder is associated with substance use problems, no previous research has examined the associations of alcohol use on skin picking symptomatology.

Adults with skin picking disorder (n = 182) were recruited from the general community via an online survey. Participants completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to measure alcohol use and various self-report measures to assess clinical profiles and associated characteristics. We compared variables of interest between those with hazardous alcohol use in the past year (AUDIT ≥8) compared to those with low-risk or no alcohol use in the past year. We also examined the extent to which skin picking disorder symptoms were dimensionally related to AUDIT scores while controlling for confounders.

Of the 182 adults with skin picking disorder, 62 (34.1%) met criteria for hazardous alcohol use. Hazardous drinking was associated with less frequent skin picking but higher overall picking-related severity and impairment, aggression, and rates of comorbid borderline personality disorder, gambling disorder, and compulsive sexual behavior disorder. Skin picking-related impairment predicted the degree of hazardous drinking while controlling for sex.

This study highlights the importance of screening for hazardous alcohol use in people with skin picking disorder. More research is needed to explore the relationship between aggression, hazardous alcohol use, and skin picking, as well as how treatments might best be adapted to treat individuals with this cluster of symptoms.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of post-COVID syndrome (PCS) and identify associated risk factors among healthcare workers (HCWs) in a large tertiary care hospital, with the objective of highlighting the importance of preparedness for similar post-viral syndromes in future pandemics.

Post-COVID syndrome, a form of post-viral syndrome, encompasses a range of long-term symptoms affecting multiple organ systems, which can persist after the recovery from COVID-19.

A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administered survey among HCWs who tested positive for COVID-19 at a large tertiary medical centre in Beirut.

Among the 134 participants who had experienced COVID-19, nearly half (47.7%) reported symptoms consistent with PCS. Fatigue, shortness of breath, poor memory, and poor concentration were the most frequently reported symptoms, lasting for over three months post-COVID-19 infection in the majority of patients. Direct care of COVID-19 patients and higher severity of acute COVID-19 infection were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of developing PCS. Further research to enhance understanding and management of post-viral syndromes is needed. Additionally, proactive strategies should be implemented to mitigate associated risks in healthcare settings, emphasizing the importance of preparedness for future pandemics.

Language deficits are frequently described by patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); however, objective characterization remains somewhat limited due to its omission from standard MS cognitive evaluation and the inconsistent findings that arise from current language measures.

To establish alternative approaches to characterizing single-word level language in MS, this study (i) validates the Sydney Language Battery (SYDBAT) visual confrontation naming subtest and (ii) examines the insights provided by examining naming errors and latencies.

40 MS patients from Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Cognitive Neuroimmunology Clinic and 40 matched controls completed a series of neuropsychological tests, including the SYDBAT and ‘gold standard’ confrontation naming task, the Boston Naming Test (BNT). Error types and latencies on the SYDBAT were extracted from assessment audio recordings.

SYDBAT and BNT scores were highly correlated (r = 0.81, p < .001) and these tasks reported comparable receiver operating characteristic curves (p = .091). Latency analysis captured lexical retrieval difficulties, with patients displaying significantly longer mean latencies than controls on the SYDBAT (p = .012, β = 0.54).

These findings support the validity of the SYDBAT and value of the latency analysis in characterizing language impairment in MS. Use of the SYDBAT and latency considerations contribute to a broader assessment with a briefer administration time compared to gold-standard evaluation. The study thereby offers clinicians an enhanced toolkit to more effectively and appropriately evaluate language functioning and supplement standard cognitive evaluation in this population.