• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2020

Background: Use of appropriate antibiotics for the treatment of pneumonia is integral in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Although it is recommended that empirical treatment regimens should be based on the local distribution of pathogens in patients with suspected hospital-acquired pneumonia, few studies observe patients admitted to ICUs with nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP). We found factors associated with the use of inappropriate antibiotics in patients with pneumonia admitted to the ICU via the emergency room (ER). Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 83 pneumonia patients with confirmed causative bacteria admitted to ICUs via ER March 2015-May 2017. We compared clinical parameters, between patients who received appropriate or inappropriate antibiotics using the Mann-Whitney U, Pearson's chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests. We investigated independent factors associated with inappropriate antibiotic use in patients using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Among 83 patients, 30 patients (36.1%) received inappropriate antibiotics. NHAP patients were more frequently treated with inappropriate antibiotics than with appropriate antibiotics (47.2% vs. 96.7%, p<0.001). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was more frequently isolated from individuals in the inappropriate antibiotics-treated group than in the appropriate antibiotics-treated group (7.5% vs. 70.0%, p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, NHAP was independently associated with the use of inappropriate antibiotics in patients with pneumonia admitted to the ICU via ER. Conclusion: NHAP is a risk factor associated with the use of inappropriate antibiotics in patients with pneumonia admitted to the ICU via the ER.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.429-438
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• 2003

Background : The mortality from acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) is >40-50%. Although some prospective trials have failed to demonstrate a survival benefit of steroids in the early stages of ARDS, there are some reports showing some success with steroids in the later stages. This study observed the changes in the physiologic parameters with time in late ARDS patients who were treated with steroids. Methods : The medical charts of 28 intensive care unit patients(male:female=24:4; mean age 64 years), who had been diagnosed with refractory late ARDS ($PaO_2/FIO_2$ <200) and were treated with corticosteroids from December 1999 to July 2002, were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: the weaned group(n=14), which included the patients who had been successfully weaned from a ventilator after corticosteroid therapy, and the failed group(n=14), which included the patients who had failed weaning. The physiologic parameters included the $PaO_2/FIO_2$ ratio, the positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP) level, the $PaCO_2$, compliance, the sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA) score, the acute physiologic and the chronic health evaluation(APACHE) II score, and the Murray Lung Injury Score(LIS) in the two groups were compared from the day of mechanical ventilation(Dmv) to 7 days after the corticosteroid therapy. Results : There was no significant difference in the clinical characteristics and the physiologic parameters between the two groups prior to the corticosteroid therapy except for the SOFA score at Dmv(weaned group : $6.6{\pm}2.5$ vs failed group : $8.8{\pm}2.9$, p=0.047). However, within 7 days after corticosteroid therapy, there was significant improvement in the $PaO_2/FIO_2$ ratio, the PEEP level, the $PaCO_2$, the SOFA score, the APACHE II score, and the LIS of the weaned group compared to the failed group. Conclusions : During corticosteroid therapy in late ARDS, the continuation of corticosteroid therapy should be determined carefully in patients who do not show improvement in their physiologic parameters by day 7.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the actual outcomes of early discharge program for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. Methods: Medical records of 122 ELBW infants admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit from January 2000 to June 2006 and those of their 112 mothers were analyzed retrospectively. Results: After being applied early discharge program to ELBW infants' mothers, their infants' lengths of stay, gestational age and body weight at discharge, duration of completion of oral feeding, number of emergency room visits after discharge were decreased and number of breast milk feeding was increased. Conclusion: Early discharge program for ELBW infants can be an effective intervention for parents and their ELBW infants contributing to neonatal nursing practices.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.288-297
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate the mean venous velocity (MVV) response with knee and thigh length compression stockings (CS) versus intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices in immobile patients with brain injuries. Methods: We carried out a randomized controlled study. We analyzed both legs of a randomly chosen sample of 43 patients assigned to one of 4 groups (86 legs). The patients were sequentially hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) in "S hospital" from November 2005 to December 2006. The base line and augmented venous velocity was measured at the level of the common femoral vein. We applied leg compression 42 times over 7 days (for 2 hours at a time at 2 hour intervals). Results: There was a statistical difference among the 4 groups. The difference for the "IPC" group was more significant than the "CS" group. Conclusion: These results indicate that the application of IPC can be considered as an effective method to prevent deep vein thrombosis for immobile patients with brain injury.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2024

Post-intensive care unit (ICU) syndrome may occur after ICU treatment and includes ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW), cognitive decline, and mental problems. ICU-AW is muscle weakness in patients treated in the ICU and is affected by the period of mechanical ventilation. Diaphragmatic weakness may also occur because of respiratory muscle unloading using mechanical ventilators. ICU-AW is an independent predictor of mortality and is associated with longer duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay. Diaphragm weakness is also associated with poor outcomes. Therefore, pulmonary rehabilitation with early mobilization and respiratory muscle training is necessary in the ICU after appropriate patient screening and evaluation and can improve ICU-related muscle weakness and functional deterioration.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.24-35
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to determine whether the Korean Patient Classification System for Neonatal Care Nurses (KPCSN) properly measures neonatal intensive care needs and to compare the scale's results with those of the Workload Management System for Critical Care Nurses (WMSCN). Methods : Data were collected from the medical records of 157 patients who were admitted to the NICU of a university hospital, in D city. Two types of patient classification systems were applied to investigate the total points and distributions to investigate the total points and distributions by categories and compare relationships and classification groups between two scales. Finally, the score distribution among the classification groups was analyzed when the KPCSN was applied. Results : Scores on the KPCSN for the feeding, monitoring, and measure categories were 19.16±15.40, 16.88±3.52, and 9.13±4.78, respectively. Classification group distribution of the KPCSN was as follows : 1.9% for the first group, 24.2% for the second group, 58% for the third group, and 15.9% for the fourth group. The classification group distribution of the WMSCN was as follows: 35.7% for the third group, 61.1% for the fourth group, and 3.2% for the fifth group. Finally, the scores by categories were analyzed according to KPCSN classification group, and the characteristics of the patients' nursing needs were identified for each classification group. Conclusion : Results of this study indicate that the KPCSN effectively measures feeding needs, which account for many nursing activities in neonatal intensive care. Comparisons between the KPCSN and WMSCN classification group scores and distribution ratios verified the correlation and significance of nursing requirements.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.6
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• pp.481-485
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• 2012

Background: Tracheostomy is a common procedure for patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. However, the timing of tracheostomy is quite variable. This study was performed to find out the factors determining the timing of tracheostomy in medical intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: Patients who were underwent tracheostomy between January 2008 and December 2009 in the medical ICU of Seoul National University Hospital were included in this retrospective study. Results: Among the 59 patients, 36 (61.0%) were male. Median Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores on the admission day were 28 and 7, respectively. The decision of tracheostomy was made on 13 days, and tracheostomy was performed on 15 days after endotracheal intubation. Of the 59 patients, 21 patients received tracheostomy before 2 weeks (group I) and 38 were underwent after 2 weeks (group II). In univariate analysis, days until the decision to perform tracheostomy (8 vs. 14.5, p<0.001), days before tracheostomy (10 vs. 18, p<0.001), time delay for tracheostomy (2.1 vs. 3.0, p<0.001), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (19.0% vs. 2.6%, p=0.049), existence of neurologic problem (38.1% vs. 7.9%, p=0.042), APACHE II scores (24 vs. 30, p=0.002), and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ <300 mm Hg (61.9% vs. 91.1%, p=0.011) were different between the two groups. In multivariate analysis, APACHE II scores${\geq}20$ (odds ratio [OR], 12.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14~136.19; p=0.039) and time delay for tracheostomy (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.11~3.55; p=0.020) were significantly associated with tracheostomy after 2 weeks. Conclusion: APACHE II scores${\geq}20$ and time delay for tracheostomy were associated with tracheostomy after 2 weeks.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.67-78
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• 2018

Purpose : A meta-analysis was conducted to identify the effectiveness of strategies designed to prevent the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers in intensive care units (ICUs). Method : The search strategy was designed to retrieve studies both published and unpublished between 2007 and 2017 including studies in English across PubMed and CINAHL, as well as in Korean across RISS, DBPia, NDSL, KISS, and NAL. All adult ICU participants were 18 years or over. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental and comparative studies. Two independent reviewers conducted quality assessments of the included studies by Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. A Review Manager 5 was used to analyze effect sizes and to identify possible sources of heterogeneity among the studies. Results : The odds ratio (OR) effect sizes were all statistically significant. The OR of total effect size was 0.30(95% CI: 0.19, 0.47), care bundle was 0.37(95% CI: 0.24, 0.57), position change was 0.45(95% CI: 0.10, 2.08), and a silicone border foam dressing was 0.14 (95% CI: 0.07, 0.29). Conclusion : The preventive interventions for patients in the ICUs have positive impacts on reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.22-35
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• 2019

Purpose : This study was to determine the levels of environmental stressor, posttraumatic stress disorder, and quality of life in intensive care units (ICU) survivors after intensive care, and to explore the factors affecting posttraumatic stress disorder and quality of life. Methods: With a longitudinal survey design, data were collected from 116 patients who were discharged from the ICU of a university hospital. The environmental stressor, posttraumatic stress disorder, and quality of life were measured immediately following and 1 month after the ICU discharge. Results: Of all the subjects, 16.4% experienced posttraumatic stress disorder after discharge. Multiple regression analysis revealed that ICU environmental stressors, experience of ICU readmission, using psychotropic drugs and narcotic analgesics, and ICU admission after surgery or cardiac intervention accounted for 22.2% of posttraumatic stress disorder. Posttraumatic stress disorder and sedation status when entering ICU accounted for 28.3% of the quality of life 1 month after ICU discharge. Conclusion: Nursing interventions focused on ICU environmental stressors would not only reduce environmental stress but also contribute to the reduction of posttraumatic stress disorder and later improvement of quality of life.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.70-81
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify the moderating effects of emotional intelligence on the relationship between traumatic events and turnover intention among nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs). Method : In this predictive correlation study, the convenience sample included 133 ICU nurses. Data were collected using an online, structured self-report survey. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, an analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and a hierarchical multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 25.0. Results : The most frequently experienced traumatic events in ICUs were "nursing patients with abnormal behavior, including shouting and delirium," "end-of-life care," and "nursing patients with a risk of disease transmission, including AIDS and tuberculosis." The moderating effect of emotional intelligence was found to be statistically significant on the relationship between traumatic events and turnover intentions (𝛽=-0.15, p =.029). Conclusion : Intervention to improve the emotional intelligence of ICU nurses can be a salient strategy to reduce turnover intention resulting from traumatic events.