• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.42-56
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to understand and describe the experiences of the advanced nurse practitioner (APN) system used by healthcare providers including APNs, doctors who worked with APNs, and APN master's course professors at a graduate school. Methods : Qualitative data were collected via snowball sampling. The participants were nine APNs, six doctors, and three professors. They were divided into three focus groups, each of which consisted of all three types of healthcare providers. Data were collected via interviews with the three focus groups conducted from September to October 2019. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The transcribed data then underwent qualitative content analysis. Results : Based on the data, we extracted four themes and 14 categories. The themes were "Role and system of APNs started according to healthcare environment changes", "Optimal healthcare provider to ensure quality of care", "Confused role and system of APNs due to incomplete medical law", and "Tasks for the stable operation of the APN system." Conclusion : For quality treatment and safety of patients, a legal basis must be established for the APN system. For its stable operation, social consensus regarding legislation about APNs' scope of practice is required. Finally, a discussion is necessary about the integration of APNs' 13 fields.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.73-78
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• 2009

문제: 오늘날 간호사는 과거와 달리 현대적 보건의료 요구를 해결할 수 있는 체계적인 이론과 기술을 습득하도록 훈련된 고급 전문 인력이고, 간호행위를 생산하기 위해서는 서비스의 생산원가 뿐만 아니라 전문 인력으로서의 훈련 및 유지비용 등도 투입되어야만 가능하게 함으로서 2008년 7월부터 시행한 중환자실 간호등급에 따른 간호수가 책정으로 인해 중환자실 내에서 이루어지고 있는 많은 간호행위 중 수가를 받을 수 있는 부분이 생기게 되었고 간호행위의 중요성과 더불어 간호를 시행 후 받을 수 있는 수가에 대한 간호사들의 입력에 대한 의무도 늘어나게 되었다. 이에 빈번히 누락되고 있는 간호수가 관리를 통한 경제적 손실을 방지해야 할 필요성을 느껴 개선활동을 하고자 한다. 목적: 2008년 7월부터 시행한 중환자실 간호등급에 따른 간호수가 책정으로 인해 중환자실내에서 이루어지고 있는 간호 행위의 중요성을 인식하고 구체적인 문제 분석과 간호 현장에서의 개선안을 도출함으로써 경제적 손실을 방지할 수 있는 간호수가 누락률을 감소시키고자 함이다. 의료기관: 대구파티마병원 내과 중환자실. 질 향상 활동: 업무개선의 방법으로 환자 개인별 간호수가 입력 누락 방지 체크 리스트 사용 및 처방 전달 시스템의 간호수가 재입력 화면을 이용하여 입력의 용이성 도모하였고 입력된 간호수가를 처방 전달 시스템 간호수가 조회 프로그램을 이용해 익일 누락여부를 매일 모니터링 하였다. 교육 및 홍보활동으로는 간호수가 입력누락 방지를 위한 간호수가 입력 지침을 제작하여 전체간호사는 년 2회, 신규간호사는 개별 교육을 실시하였으며, 월별 간호수가 누락통계를 실명 공고 하여 간호수가 다 빈도 누락 간호사는 추가 개별교육을 실시하였다. 개선효과: 간호수가 입력 프로세스 개선을 통해 간호수가 평균 누락률이 개선 전 6.5%, 개선 후 1.2%로 5.3%의 누락 감소율을 보였으며 역치 5%를 달성하였고 간호수가 누락금액은 개선 전 2,992,752원, 개선 후 590,787원으로 2,401,965원의 누락 효과 비용을 구할 수 있었다. 본 QA활동으로 중환자실 간호수가 전산입력에 대한 체계적인 교육부재와 신규간호사들의 잦은 전산누락이 있어왔으나 표준화 된 체크리스트 지침과 입력확인 작업으로 전산입력 누락률이 감소하는 효과를 가져왔다. 추후 심평원 청구 작업을 하는 부서와 연계되어 실제 청구 누락률에 대한 비교와 간호사 근무연수와 간호수가 입력 누락률에 대한 상관관계 조사를 제언 해 본다.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.59-71
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was to identify the effects of simulation-based training for advanced cardic life support on the competence of nurses in critical care settings. Methods: In this study, a nonequivalent control pretest-post test quasi-experimental design was used. Data were collected from May 1 to June 1, 2006 at one general hospital in W city. Among 40 nurses in critical care settings, twenty were assigned to the experimental group and twenty to the control group. Nurses in the experimental group received simulation-based training for advanced cardiac life support. Measurement tool were ACLS related knowledge and skills developed by AHA & Mega Code (2005) and some items were modified. The collected data were statistically processed using SPSS version 12.0 for Windows, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, $X^2$test, t-test, paired ttest, Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: 1) Hypothesis 1“: Nurses who received simulationbased training would have more knowledge of advanced cardiac life support than nurses who received traditional training”, was supported (t=11.51, p=.00). 2) Hypothesis 2: “Nurses who received simulation-based training would have better advanced cardiac life support skills than nurses who received traditional training”, was supported (t=2.38, p=.00). Conclusion: Simulation-based training for advanced cardiac life support is an effective strategy for increasing the competence of nurses in advanced cardiac life support in critical care settings.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.15-27
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• 2018

Purpose : This study was intended to investigate the frequency of job performance of the Korean professional medical support staffs (PMSS). Method : The data of 1,666 PMSS from 36 hospitals and over 500 beds were analyzed. The participants were divided into 5 groups: advanced practice nurses (APN), clinical nurse experts, physician assistants (PA), coordinators, and others. Results : Among the 5 main domains of job performance, advanced clinical practice has the highest frequency (111.36 d/y), followed by consultation/collaboration (75.66 d/y), education/counseling (53.54 d/y), leadership (23.90 d/y), and research (19.14 d/y). There was a significant difference in the frequency of job performance between the 5 groups of participants. The invasive activities were more frequent in the PA group. In the education and counseling domain, APNs had a higher level of job frequency than others (p < .001). In the research and leadership domains, APNs and coordinators had more prominent performance frequency than other groups (p < .01). However, there are some ambiguities in the job performance of the 5 groups depending on institutional characteristics. Conclusion : To establish the scope of work of PMSS, organizational and individual efforts are needed to promote and expand the leadership and research domains. To resolve the ambiguities of PMSS' roles, it is necessary to reorganize their titles.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.85-96
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of perceptions regarding the importance of patient safety management in the relationship between incident reporting attitudes and patient safety care activities for nurses in small-and medium-sized general hospitals. The objective was to provide a basis for planning tailored training programs aimed at improving patient safety care activities. Methods : This study was conducted with 187 participants in small- and medium-sized general hospitals in K city in South Korea from March 15 to March 31, 2019. The data collected from participants were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and a multiple regression using IBM SPSS/WIN 21.0 software. Results : Patient safety care activities were found to be correlated with incident reporting attitudes (r=.27, p < .001) and perceptions of the importance of patient safety management (r=.59, p < .001). Further, perceptions of the importance of patient safety management had a complete mediating effect (${\beta}=.409$, p < .001) on the relationship between incident reporting attitudes and patient safety care activities. Conclusion : Based on the findings of this study, tailored training programs regarding patient safety care activities focused on boosting perceptions of the importance of patient safety management are highly recommended to improve nurses' patient safety care activities in small- and medium-sized general hospitals.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.12-23
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of direct interhospital transfers (IHTs) of patients with acute aortic syndrome (AAS) led by advanced practice nurses (APNs). Methods : From September 2014 to June 2017, the study retrospectively investigated 183 patients with AAS who were transferred to a high-volume tertiary hospital. Results : One hundred forty-eight (81%) patients were admitted through direct IHTs, and 35 (19%) patients were admitted through non-direct IHTs. The direct IHT group had a significantly shorter time from symptom onset to hospital arrival than the non-direct IHT group (11.4 vs. 32.1 h, p=.043). There were no significant differences in other clinical outcomes, such as peri-transfer status, mortality, hospital length of stay, and readmission, between the two groups. In the direct IHT group, 55% of transfers were led by APNs. There was no significant difference in outcomes between APN- and physician-led transfers. Conclusions : Implementation of direct IHTs markedly shortened the time from symptom onset to hospital arrival in patients with AAS. Finally, direct IHTs can potentially improve the outcomes of patients with AAS, a condition with time-dependent mortality and morbidity. In addition, APNs can effectively lead the direct IHT of patients with AAS.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.48-61
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• 2023

Purpose : This study aimed to identify and describe the leadership experience of advanced practice nurses (APN). Methods : Data were collected through five focus group interviews in 2022 with a total of 24 APNs in groups of 4-6 participants. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results : Nine categories emerged from three main themes. First, "Roles of APN leadership" comprised a trusted clinical expert, a moderator for the entire team, a resource person for nurturing the next generation, and a change agent for improving clinical practice. Second, "Facilitators and barriers to APN leadership" included ambiguity of APN role, support system, and institutional backing. Third, "Strategies for strengthening APN leadership competencies" comprised systematic leadership education and speaking up for APNs. Conclusion : APNs are passionate about their expertise and practice, but lack the legal and organizational authority and support to provide successive leadership. Systematic education including leadership and organizational advocacy will enable APN to provide leadership that benefits patients, institutions, and the wider healthcare system.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Purpose : This study explores the professional status of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in Korea, who, despite being legally certified, face instability in their professional standing, including their scope of practice and compensation. Method : The study uses Flexner's professional characteristics as a framework to analyze and project the future trajectory of Korean APNs. Results : First, to ensure social accountability, professional bodies need to establish uniform nursing policies related to job roles, and healthcare institutions must adhere to these policies. Second, nursing leaders should spearhead the creation of nursing knowledge essential for the profession's advancement, aiming to establish it as the foundation for nursing practice through a consensus process within the nursing community. Third, the curriculum for APNs should enhance the quantitative and qualitative aspects of practice in response to societal needs. Fourth, professional bodies should formulate consistent nursing policies based on a thorough analysis of the healthcare environment and legal considerations, and guide their implementation in clinical practice through a consensus process within the nursing community. Lastly, guidelines should be established for professional standards suitable for the Korean context. Conclusion : Based on this review, it is recommended that all APNs adhere to the professional standards set by their respective organizations, actively participate in personal quality improvement initiatives, and fulfill their duties and roles as members of these professional bodies. Furthermore, these organizations should devise practical strategies to solidify the APN system and should spearhead a systematic consensus process that garners the agreement of all members within the nursing community.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.42-54
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• 2024

Purpose : This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an advanced practice nurse (APN)-driven ventilator weaning protocol for patients undergoing cardiac surgeries. Methods : A retrospective analysis was conducted on 226 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital between January and June 2020, following a cardiac surgery. Patients were divided into an APN protocol-applied group (experimental group, n=152) and a control group managed based on doctors' judgment (n=74). Ventilator weaning criteria and clinical outcomes, including duration of ventilation, length of ICU stay, and rate of reintubation, were compared between the two groups. Results : Patients in the control group were older and had a higher incidence of massive bleeding from chest tube drainage (>100 cc/hr) at baseline. The average duration of ventilation was significantly shorter in the experimental group compared to the control group (7.44 vs. 21.61 hours, p <.001). Furthermore, the mean length of ICU stay was shorter in the experimental group compared to the control group (47.96 vs. 77.97 hours, p <.001). There was no difference in the rate of reintubation between the two groups. Conclusion : These findings suggest that an APN-driven ventilator weaning protocol can improve clinical outcomes without significant complications. These results support the adoption of APN-driven mechanical ventilator weaning protocols in clinical practice.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.25-40
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify the frequency and importance of task performance and the perceived competence to perform of the emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs) certified in Korea. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 41 ENPs certified by March 2012. The questionnaire to identify frequency, importance, autonomy, and perceived competence to perform 131 typical ENP task elements was developed on the basis of the standardized role of an ENP defined by the Korean Accreditation Board of Nursing Education. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The professional nursing practice showed the highest scores for performance frequency, task importance, autonomy, and perceived competence to perform as compared to other job categories. Clinical decision making was the most frequently performed duty. Data collection was the duty with highest levels of importance, autonomy, and perceived competence for the ENPs. However, the ENPs reported that research was the duty with the lowest levels of frequency, importance, autonomy, and perceived competence Conclusion: ENPs in Korea perform various tasks. In order to improve their position in the field, it is necessary to clarify their job description and enhance their competence to perform evidencebased professional nursing practices.