• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.45-56
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• 2016

Purpose: The MERS(Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) outbreaks in Korea highlighted dramatically the failings of traditional hospital environment for controlling or preventing infections among both patients and healthcare workers. MERS is transmitted by droplets that can be airborne over a limited area. The point should be emphasized that MERS in South Korea was predominantly a hospital-acquired (not a community-acquired) infection, because approximately 93% of MERS cases were resulted from exposure in hospital settings. This paper tries to suggest the design guidelines of negative pressured isolation ward for the sake of proper control of severe respiratory infectious diseases. Methods: Literature survey on the design guideline and regulations of airborne infection wards in Korea, Europe U.K. and CDC of U.S. have been carries out. 4 special infection wards in Hongkong, Germany, Japan and Korea have been surveyed in order to make the best use of the experiences related to facility design and operations. Results: Operating system influencing the facility design, space organizations of infectious ward including required space and zoning, and circulations of patients, staffs and materials are proposed. Implications: The results of this paper can be the basic data for the design of the airborne infection ward and relevant regulations. Afterwards in-depth study such as the development of space standards for the single bedroom, locker room and so on could be explored.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.249-260
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• 2013

Objectives : To figure out the status of infection control (IC) in dental healthcare field and to propose the way for improvements through assessment about cognition of the clients. Methods : Study subjects were 151 patients who visited H dental health organization (DHO) of the four DHO in Busan city. The questionnaire survey performed from November 10 to December 7, 2010. Results : 1. 43.0% of consumers were interested in perception and experience in the infection control, and 38.4% were related behavioral changes in the infection control. 2. In the clients survey, the major considerations about the performance for IC were hand washing(73.5%). 3. There was significantly higher in middle-aged to think for ages infection prevention behaviors recognized as important to wear safety glasses. 4. In the confidence for dental care organization according to gender and age, appearance and outfits of staffs was the highest major consideration items. Conclusions : Infection control closely related to the clients' satisfaction and credits, therefor changing of interest, cognition and attitude for the client's IC have to be emphasized.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.17-28
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to provide basic data for the future construction plans of the Infectious Disease Hospitals by analyzing the area composition and required room ratios in the wards and ICU of currently under-construction infectious disease hospitals. Methods: 3 Methods have been used in this paper. 1) This study conducted a literature review on major considerations and related guidelines for hospitals specializing in infectious diseases using existing data. 2) Based on the objects and activities of the hospital space, zones and areas were set for each department according to infection control. 3) Based on the established zones and areas, basic plan drawings of three hospitals specializing in infectious diseases currently under construction were collected and architectural drawing analysis was performed. Results: 1) Infectious Diseases Hospital must have a spatial organization that can accommodate patient isolation, infection control, efficiency of medical service, and changes. 2) Zones for infection control are divided into negative pressure and non-negative pressure zones based on airborne precaution isolation. It is divided into clean and contaminated zone according to class of cleanliness by Aseptic technique. Areas are classified by objects (patients, healthcare workers, supplies) and activities (access, medical treatment, support), and a system for organizing space is established based on this. 3) By analyzing the area composition of each departmental area, each required room, and each required space in the wards and intensive care units, it provides basic data for the spatial organization for architectural planning of the infectious disease hospital. Implication: It can be used as basic data when planning related facilities by analyzing the characteristics of the space plan of the required room according to the relationship between activities, movement lines, and operation plans based on user behavior.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.7-16
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• 2020

Purpose: As communicable disease, COVID-19, pandemic strikes over the world, it is critically bewared that air travel possibly be a major pass way to deliver the infectious disease virus. Especially the airplane could be an unique environment to cultivate the virus spreaders. In order to keep the continuous safe airway as well as the industry, related international associations and organizations have been published the guidelines for the prevention and control the infectious disease through the all aspects of aviation. By reviewing the guidelines, focusing on the in-flight infection prevention and control, this study would not only inform a summary of the international guidelines but also provide an essential and general consideration for related research or guideline study. Methods: Guidelines of 5 major countries are reviewed, which has been seriously influenced by COVID-19 : U.S., Canada, E.U., Australia and China. The items of the guidelines are re-categorized as its similarity and structure by applicable cases. Results: The result of this study shows that each guideline seems to share a major structure and issue such as identifying sick traveler, sick passenger care, and cleaning even though that of China has a different since it used to consider the flight conditions based on 3 levels of infection risk. For sick passenger care, the guidelines includes crew safety, service level, sick passenger isolation, and cleaning. Implications: A published guideline as a public manual could be to prevent and control the in-flight infection efficiently and promptly. It also could provide a confidence of knowledge and educate for all users to prepare the in-flight emergency as well.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.273-280
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the perception of dental infection-control coordinator (DICC) among dental hygienist and determine whether there is a difference in perception depending on the type of work. Methods: Dental hygienists working at the dentistry were conveniently extracted and distributed to 351 patients, and the data of 320 patients were finally analyzed. The chi-square test was conducted to determine the difference in perception of the DICC according to the type of work, and the one-way ANOVA was performed to determine the difference in the perception of DICC tasks. A p-value of <0.05 was statistically significant. Results: General hospitals and university hospitals (100%), dental hospitals (95.8%), and dental clinics (86.6%) showed the highest awareness of the need for DICC. The dental clinics had the lowest level of awareness regarding the duties of the DICC, and dental hospitals and clinics were in different areas with different levels of awareness regarding infection control-related administrative support areas (3.98-4.21 and 3.79-4.12 of 5). Conclusions: Because of a difference in perception regarding the work of DICC according to the type of work, dental organizations should establish the tasks of DICC and develop an education program for a person in charge based on this.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the factors influencing health personnel's occupational stress on turnover intention regarding healthcare accreditation. Methods: A survey was conducted from May 17 to May 31, 2021, among participants to examine occupational stress and turnover intention among health personnel working at a 188-bed specialized hospital in Seoul that is preparing for healthcare accreditation. Results: Occupational stress regarding healthcare accreditation was found to have a positive correlation with turnover intention (r=.698, p <.001), and influenced turnover intention the most, which explains the variance of 55.8% (F=29.015, p <.001). There were significant differences between occupational groups in job stress (F=13.292, p<.001) and turnover intention (F=10.930, p <.001) in the healthcare accreditation. Conclusion: Occupational stress regarding healthcare accreditation is higher in nursing than in other occupations, indicating the need to lower the turnover intention of nurses by preparing a national institutional standard for nursing manpower and also put in place an appropriate compensation system for each hospital seeking accreditation.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted to describe core competencies and identify factors affecting core competencies among infection control nurses (ICN). Methods: Infection control nurses from hospital with more than 200 beds comprised the sample. Questionnaires were sent to the sample via e-mail. One hundred and three questionnaires were returned. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression via SPSS/WIN 21.0. Results: The core competency level of healthcare workers area was the highest that of the education and research was the lowest. There were significant differences in core competencies related to demographics such as age, clinical carrier, infection control carrier, position, academic degree, infection control specialist license, hospital location, and hospital type. The explained variances for the core competency were 38.3% and the contributing factors to core competencies were infection control carrier and infection control specialist license. Conclusion: It showed various levels of core competencies depending on infection control nurses' demographics and hospital traits, therefore consistent management efforts for the licensing and career path of infection control would be required.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.91-98
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• 2014

Primary gastric lymphoma (PGL) is derived from mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) and it differs from nodal lymphoma in histologic features and biologic behavior. Recent studies have showed that Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori ) infection is closely related to the development of low grade gastric lymphoma, and eradication of the infection induces regression of the tumor. H. pylori infection is known to be important to the development of gastric MALT lymphoma. The aim of this study was to elucidate the histopathological behavior of PGL according to the concept of MALT and to compare the predictive value of tests frequently used for diagnosis of H. pylori. The histological features of gastric lymphoma arising from MALT are the replacement of glands by uniform dense infiltration of centrocyte-like cells in the lamina propria and lymphoidepithelial lesion. H. pylori-associated histologic changes of neutrophilic infiltration, lymphoid follicle or aggregates formation and intestinal metaplasia, and H. pylori immunoreactivity were analyzed. Detection of H. pylori in chronic active gastritis and peptic ulcer suggests a possible role of H. pylori in the pathogenesis. Giemsa, Toluidine blue and Long H&E stains were used in H. pylori detection. Histopathological examination of gastric biopsy specimens revealed lymphoepithelial lesions pathognomonic of MALT lymphoma, and immunohistochemical staining for CD20 was diffusely positive. CD3 was positive in reactive T cells. PAX-5 was negative except the follicle. Bcl-2, cytokeratin, Ki-67, and c-myc were positive. The findings may indicate a predictable transition of low grade to high grade, and c-myc may be used as a valuable marker before molecular pathology diagnosis.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.51-60
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• 2021

Purpose: Tuberculosis(TB) care unit in public health center should be carefully considered to be re-designed as an infection safety environment for both patient and healthcare workers. So, for the enhancement, this study analyses the facility requirements for co-using the screening clinic as a TB and other respiratory disease care unit. Methods: Not only screening clinic facility guidelines from "A Study for Standard Triage Design and Construction Document" but also the guidelines of TB care and related medical facility are reviewed; KDCA, CDC, ECDC and WHO as a TB care, and FGI and NHS for facility. The facility requirements are summarized space, approach, and mechanical requirement in order. By comparing the summary and screening clinic facility guidelines, supplementations are proposed for TB care unit setting. Results: The result of this study shows that both the space program and mechanical requirement of the screening clinic and that of TB care unit are almost identical and could be share, which include direct airflow or negative air pressure in an exam room. To increase functional and economical efficiency, however, it is necessary to consider a multi-functional negative pressured room, So care process may be re-designed based on a room type; face-to-face room or glass wall inbetween. Implications: The facility guidelines for TB care unit of a public health center should be developed to build a safe environment for infection control by reflecting its medical plan and budget.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.37-44
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• 2023

Purpose: Currently, research on environmental conditions and finishing materials for medical facilities with proven antiviral performance is poor in Korea. Through this study, we have explored environmental characteristics and finishing materials that can be used to control cross-infection when constructing medical facilities. Methods: Experiments in overseas papers related to antiviral effects of environmental conditions, spatial compartments, and interior finishes have been analyzed. Results: The higher the temperature, the higher the humidity, and the higher the illuminance of sunlight, the lower the viability of the corona-virus. The proliferation of viruses was suppressed on the surface of the copper alloy. Materials such as brushed steel are the ones that maintain the strongest viability. Among the characteristics of the surface, survival and propagation power differ depending on whether it is porous or hydrophilic. In the case of infection ward actually operated in Italy, the presence of airborne viruses in contaminated and non-contaminated spaces differed significantly. Corona-virus has been identified in reachable parts such as door handles and medical shelves in quasi-contaminated spaces, which are spaces between contaminated and non-contaminated spaces, but the corona-virus has not been identified in cases of out-of-touch walls. Implications: It is necessary to evaluate the performance by testing the construction finishing materials of infection control facilities according to domestic conditions.