The purpose of this study was to classify the elderly in long-term care facilities using the Resource Utilization Group(RUG-III) and to examine the feasibility of a payment method based on the RUG-III classification system in Korea.

This study measured resident characteristics using a Resident Assessment Instrument-Minimum Data Set(RAI-MDS) and staff time. Data was collected from 530 elderly residents over sixty, residing in long-term care facilities. Resource use for individual patients was measured by a wage-weighted sum of staff time and the total time spent with the patient by nurses, aides, and physiotherapists.

The subjects were classified into 4 groups out of 7 major groups. The group of Clinically Complex was the largest (46.3%), and then Reduced Physical Function(27.2%), Behavior Problems (17.0%), and Impaired Cognition (9.4%) followed. Homogeneity of the RUG-III groups was examined by total coefficient of variation of resource use. The results showed homogeneity of resource use within RUG-III groups. Also, the difference in resource use among RUG major groups was statistically significant (p<0.001), and it also showed a hierarchy pattern as resource use increases in the same RUG group with an increase of severity levels(ADL).

The results of this study showed that the RUG-III classification system differentiates resources provided to elderly in long-term care facilities in Korea.

The purpose of this study was to identify accidental mortality during school activities of students in elementary, middle or high school in Seoul and consequent compensation payment.

Fifty-eight students died due to accidents during the period 1988 through 2007. Data were obtained from the Seoul School Safety and Insurance Association, and Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. Chi-square, t test, and ANCOVA were used in the data analysis.

Among students, 75.9% were male and 37.9% were high school students. Accidental mortality was 1.61 per one million students (2.33 for male, and 0.82 for female students, and 0.93, 2.13 and 2.31 for elementary, middle and high school students, respectively). Mortality caused by drowning and falls per one million student was 0.85 and 0.74 for male, and 0.23 and 0.35 for female students. After age, year and cause were adjusted using ANCOVA, the mean compensation payment was 40,615 thousand won for male, and 62,000 thousands for female students. Highest compensation payment was 127,137 thousand for cerebral concussion after age, gender, year and cause were adjusted.

To decrease student accidental mortality, especially drowning and falls, development of efficient safety-enforcing education is essential to prevent injuries and avoid preventable compensation costs.

This study focused on analysing costs per home health care nursing visit based on home health care nursing activities in medical institutes.

The data was collected in three stages. First, the cost elements of home health care nursing services were collected and 31 home care nurses participated. Second, the workload and caseload of home care nursing activities were measured by the Easley-Storfjell Instrument(1997). Third, the opinions on improving the home health care nursing reimbursement system were collected by a nation-wide mailing survey from a total of 125 home care agencies.

The cost of home health care nursing per visit was calculated as 50,626 won. This was composed of a basic visiting fee of 35,090₩(≒35$) and travel fee of 15,536₩(≒15$). The major problems of the home care nursing payment system were the low level of the cost per visit, no distinction between first visit and revisits, and the limitations in health insurance coverage for home health care nursing services.

This study's results will contribute as a baseline for establishing policies for improvement of the home health care nursing cost and for applying a community-based visiting nursing service cost.