• The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.111-117
• /
• 2013

Some odontogenic infections erode into fascial spaces directly and spread toward lymphatic tissues and blood streams. The principal maxillary primary spaces are the canine, buccal, and infratemporal space, the next secondary spaces are the masseteric, temporal and pharygeal space. As a result of the infection, trismus and orocutaneous fistula may be occurred. Trismus is owing to conditions not associated with temporomandibular joint itself and may be of myogenic, neurogenic, or psychogenic nature. Muscular trismus is due to infection adjacent to the elevator muscles of the jaw. The four principles of treatment of infection are as follows: (1) removal of the cause, (2) establishment of drainage, (3) institution of antibiotic therapy, and (4) provision of supportive care, including rest, nutrition and physiotherapy. Jaw physiotherapy is necessary to increase the amount of mouth opening and regain normal muscle tone. If proper care of odontogenic infection could be attained, the orocutaneous fistula will heal and close spontaneously by wound contraction mechanism of natural homeostatic response. This is a case report of the care of trismus and orocutaneous fistula due to fascial space abscess by advanced odontogenic infection in a physically disabled patient.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.14-23
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) bundle. Methods: This was a retrospective study that was carried out between June 2010 and October 2015. In this study, 3,224 intubated patients were included. The VAP bundle which was applied to Group 1 patients (n=470) included head-of-bed elevation to 30 degrees, cuff pressure monitorization, prophylaxis of peptic ulcer, and prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis. The VAP bundle for Group 2 patients (n=1,914) included all the elements of the VAP bundle for Group 1 patients and one additional element which was oral care with 0.12% chlorhexidine. The VAP bundle for Group 3 patients (n=870) added sedative interruption and assessment of readiness to extubate to the VAP bundle for Group 2. Results: The numbers and incidences of VAP were significantly different among the three groups. Moreover, there were significant differences among groups in ICU length of stay and mortality. Conclusion: Three different VAP prevention bundles made different effects in patient outcomes.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.57 no.2
• /
• pp.128-137
• /
• 2024

Objectives: This study was conducted to characterize the symptoms, mental health, quality of life (QoL), and associated factors following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 394 participants previously infected with COVID-19 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Mental health was assessed using the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Participants self-reported health-related QoL was measured with the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) scale. Results: Among the participants, 76.4% reported experiencing at least one symptom following COVID-19 infection. The most common symptoms were fatigue (42.1%), cognitive dysfunction (42.9%), and hair loss (27.9%). According to the DASS-21 results, the proportions of depression, anxiety, and stress were 28.7%, 26.4%, and 20.6%, respectively. The mean scores on the EQ-5D-5L and the EuroQol Visual Analog Scale were 0.94±0.11 and 84.20±13.11, respectively. Regarding QoL issues, the highest proportion of participants (32.7%) reported experiencing anxiety or depression, followed by pain or discomfort (25.4%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that factors associated with the presence of symptoms following COVID-19 infection included female (odds ratio [OR], 2.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65 to 4.91) and having QoL issues (OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.71 to 6.19). Conclusions: The study investigated the prevalence rates of various symptoms following COVID-19 infection. These findings underscore the need to prioritize comprehensive care for individuals recovering from COVID-19 and to implement strategies to mitigate the long-term impact of the disease on mental health and QoL.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.238-244
• /
• 2017

Objectives: The major objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among employees at a workers' compensation hospital. Methods: Among the 394 employees at Incheon Hospital, 362 were enrolled in the study. An interferon-gamma release assay(IGRA) for diagnosis of LTBI was performed using QuantiFERON$^{(R)}$ TB Gold In-Tube(QFT-IT). Risk factors for LTBI were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results: The overall prevalence of LTBI was 32.0%(116/362). The non-medical departments have a significantly high prevalence compared to medical departments(39.7% vs 23.2%). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, experience working in the pneumoconiosis hospital(OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.3-10.3) was associated with development of LTBI. Conclusions: Korean guidelines for the management of tuberculosis recommend annual regular health examinations for TB and LTBI for health care workers(HCWs). Considering the high prevalence of and risk factors for LTBI among non-HCWs, it suggests a need for annual regular health examinations for TB and LTBI for all employees at workers' compensation hospitals, including pneumoconiosis hospitals.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.81 no.4
• /
• pp.274-280
• /
• 2018

Background: The risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection among health care workers (HCWs) is higher than as noted among workers in the general population. The prevalence and risk factors of TB infection among HCWs were assessed in a tertiary hospital in South Korea, resulting in a conclusion of an intermediate TB burden within the country. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled HCWs who underwent a QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test to detect the presence of a latent TB infection (LTBI), in patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in South Korea in 2017. The departments of the hospital were divided into TB-related and TB-unrelated departments, which were based on the risk of exposure to TB patients. In this sense, the risk factors for LTBI, including current working in the TB-related departments, were analyzed. Results: In this case, a total of 499 HCWs (54 doctors, 365 nurses and 80 paramedical personnel) were enrolled in this study. The median age of the subjects was 31 years (range, 20-67 years), 428 (85.8%) were female, and 208 (41.7%) were working in the TB-related departments. The prevalence of LTBI was 15.8% based on the QFT-GIT. Additionally, the prevalence of experience of exposure to pre-treatment TB patents was higher among HCWs working in the TB-related departments, than among HCWs working in the TB-unrelated departments (78.8% vs. 61.9%, p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of LTBI between the two groups (17.3% vs. 14.8%, p=0.458). On a review of the multivariate analysis, only the factor of age was independently associated with an increased risk of LTBI (p=0.006). Conclusion: Broadly speaking, the factor of age was associated with an increased risk of LTBI among the HCWs in South Korea. However, those workers current working in the TB-related departments was not associated with an increased risk of LTBI.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.306-315
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine psychological empowerment and awareness and performance of Healthcare-Associated Infections(HAIs) control among Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses. Method: The data for this study were collected using structured questionnaires from 178 nurses working in the ICUs of four hospitals with more than 500 beds. Results: The subjects'psychological empowerment, awareness and performance of HAIs control were mean over. The subjects'psychological empowerment showed statistically significant differences depending on age, marital status, academic background, clinical career, ICU career, and position and experience in infection control among their general characteristics. Awareness of HAIs control showed statistically significant differences depending on age, gender, marital status, clinical career, and ICU career. Performance showed statistically significant differences depending on age, gender, marital status, and, ICU career. Regarding the subjects' performance of HAIs control, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between psychological empowerment and awareness. Conclusion: It was found that it is necessary to strengthen differential customized training according to the subjects'characteristics for effective HAIs control, and to strengthen the nurses'awareness of HAIs control through systematic evaluation, monitoring, and feedback, as well as continuous education and training.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.223-232
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of preventing CAUTIs through the practice of using 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) versus normal saline for perineal care in ICU patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was used, and participants were randomly allocated to either the CHG group (n=79) or normal saline group (n=81). CAUTI was diagnosed following the criteria of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Incidence of CAUTI and characte oftics of infection were evaluated. Results: In the CHG group, 8 epofodes of CAUTI were obsevend in 79 patients and 875 foley catheter e ys. Tnce ate of CAUTI was 9.14 per 1,000 foley catheter e ys. Tncre were 2 epofodes of CAUTI in the 81 patients and 837 foley catheter e ys of the normal saline group. Tnce ate of CAUTI was 2.39 per 1,000 foley catheter e ys. Tnc difference between both groups was not significant (p=.1e ConConclusevaluUsing normal saline to provide perineal care to ICU patients with a foley catheter inserted will not increase the risk for CAUTI.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.116-120
• /
• 2023

Purpose: In Japan, the data on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody titers after the booster dose of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine are insufficient. The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers before, 1, 3, and 6 months after the booster dose of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine among health care workers. Materials and Methods: A total of 268 participants who received the booster dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine were analyzed. SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers were measured before (baseline) and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the booster dose. Factors associated with changes in SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at 1, 3, and 6 months were analyzed. Cutoff values at baseline were calculated to prevent infection of the omicron variant of COVID-19. Results: The SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at baseline, and 1, 3, and 6 months were 1,018.3 AU/mL, 21,396.5 AU/mL, 13,704.6 AU/mL, and 8,155.6 AU/mL, respectively. Factors associated with changes in SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at 1 month were age and SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at baseline, whereas changes in SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at 3 and 6 months were associated with the SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at 1 month. The cutoff values of the SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers at baseline were 515.4 AU/mL and 13,602.7 AU/mL at baseline and 1 month after the booster dose, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers increase rapidly at 1 month after the booster dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine and begin to decrease from 1 to 6 months. Hence, another booster may be needed as soon as possible to prevent infection.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.318-329
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify factors affecting COVID-19 vaccination and associated side effects among health care workers in a small and medium-sized hospital. Methods: In May 2021, 301 workers out of a total of 670 working in a small and medium-sized hospital in Gyeonggi-do, were surveyed. The small and medium-sized hospital treats patients with COVID-19. Health care workers across different medical institutions responded with self-reported internet questionnaires. Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination were analyzed via logistic regression. Results: Out of 301 subjects, 89.0% showed an intention to inoculate, and 85.7% were vaccinated against COVID-19. The most frequent reason for vaccination was responsibility as a medical worker. The fear of adverse reactions was the most frequent reason for non-vaccination. Adverse reactions after inoculation occurred in 70.9% of cases, and 30.6% were referred for treatment of adverse reactions. The factors ultimately influencing COVID-19 vaccination were vaccination intention, previous side effects from other vaccinations, occupation, and age. Conclusion: In order to improve the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination, a systematic approach is required to determine the risk factors associated with the young age of the administrative staff/personnel, subjects with a history of side effects associated with other vaccines, and health care workers who do not intend to be vaccinated. It is important to develop strategies to improve immunization. In addition, accurate and essential information regarding the side effects of vaccination is needed, along with appropriate education and publicity.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.15-25
• /
• 2019

The development of reliable and objective definitions as well as automated processes for the detection of health care-associated infections (HAIs) is crucial; however, transformation to an automated surveillance system remains a challenge. Early outbreak identification usually requires clinicians who can recognize abnormal events as well as ongoing disease surveillance to determine the baseline rate of cases. The system screens the laboratory information system (LIS) data daily to detect candidates for health care-associated bloodstream infection (HABSI) according to well-defined detection rules. The system detects and reserves professional autonomy by requiring further confirmation. In addition, web-based HABSI surveillance and classification systems use discrete data elements obtained from the LIS, and the LIS-provided data correlates strongly with the conventional infection-control personnel surveillance system. The system was timely, acceptable, useful, and sensitive according to the prevention guidelines. The surveillance system is useful because it can help health care professionals better understand when and where the transmission of a wide range of potential pathogens may be occurring in a hospital. A national plan is needed to strengthen the main structures in HAI prevention, Healthcare Associated Prevention and Control Committee (HAIPCC), sterilization service (SS), microbiology laboratories, and hand hygiene resources, considering their impact on HAI prevention.