• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.1-12
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• 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the western countries with advanced medical technology failed to contain coronavirus. This fact triggered our research question of what factors influence the clinical outcomes like infection rates and case mortality rates. This study aims to identify the determinants of COVID-19 related infection rates and case mortality rates. We considered three sets of independent variables: 1) socio-demographic characteristics; 2) cultural characteristics; 3) healthcare system characteristics. For the analysis, we created an international dataset from diverse sources like World Bank, Worldometers, Hofstede Insight, GHS index etc. The COVID-19 related statistics were retrieved from Aug. 1. Total cases are from 95 countries. We used hierarchical regression method to examine the linear relationship among variables. We found that obesity, uncertainty avoidance, hospital beds per 1,000 made a significant influence on the standardized COVID-19 infection rates. The countries with higher BMI score or higher uncertainty avoidance showed higher infection rates. The standardized COVID-19 infection rates were inversely related to hospital beds per 1,000. In the analysis on the standardized COVID-19 case mortality rates, we found that two cultural characteristics(e.g., individualism, uncertainty avoidance) showed statistically significant influence on the case mortality rates. The healthcare system characteristics did not show any statistically significant relationship with the case mortality rates. The cultural characteristics turn out to be significant factors influencing the clinical outcomes during COVID-19 pandemic. The results imply that the persuasive communication is important to trigger the public commitment to follow preventive measures. The strategy to keep the hospital surge capacity needs to be developed.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.49-56
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• 2020

Purpose: This descriptive correlational study was done to analyze the relationship between social support and self-care in hypertensive patients aged 30 years or older. Methods: Data were collected from April 09 to April 16, 2020 through an online survey (Naver Form) at Internet cafes and SNS Eighty 80 adults aged 30 or older who had been diagnosed with high blood pressure at a medical institution participated in the study. Data were analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé's test and Pearson correlation coefficients with SPSS statistics 26.0. Results: The study results showed that social support for hypertensive patients was significantly higher for men (t=-2.17, p=.033), according to religious status (t=-2.33, p=.023), and the number of people in the household (F=6.05, p=.001). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between social support and hypertensive self-care (r=.24, p=.036). Conclusion: The results confirm that the social support of patients with hypertension is related to self care for hypertension management. As the number of elders and single-person households who cannot manage their health well increases, it is necessary to establish a long-term and continuous social support system for these clients.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.36-45
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• 2021

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between Knowledge of Life-sustaining Treatment Plans and Attitudes toward Withdrawal of Life-sustaining Treatment among nursing college students, and attempted to identify the mediating effect of Role Perception on Life-sustaining Treatment in that relationship. It is hoped that the findings will ultimately contribute to the development of active nursing strategies. Methods: The participants were 142 nursing college students in the third and fourth years of study who had experienced clinical practice at two universities in cities Y and C. Data were collected from November 1 to 30, 2019. For data analysis, SPSS for Windows version 22.0 was used to calculate descriptive statistics, the t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression. To analyze the mediating effect, the Baron and Kenny bootstrapping method was used. Results: Attitudes toward Withdrawal of Life-sustaining Treatment of nursing college students had a significant positive correlation with Knowledge of Life-sustaining Treatment Plans (r=0.34, P<0.001) and Role Perception on Life-sustaining Treatment (r=0.44, P<0.001). Role Perception on Life-sustaining Treatment partially mediated the relationship between Knowledge of Life-sustaining Treatment Plans and Attitudes toward Withdrawal of Life-sustaining Treatment (95% CI, 0.446~1.055). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, improving nursing college students' Role Perception on Life-sustaining Treatment could be used as a coping strategy to establish positive Attitudes toward Withdrawal of Life-sustaining Treatment.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.199-209
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the nursing needs and workload of nurses according to nursing dependency for effective placement of nursing staff in the emergency department (ED). Methods: In June 2020, 256 adult patients who visited the ED were classified as two groups, suspected COVID-19 patients and general patients. The participants'electronic medical records were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, 𝑥²-test, and Fisher's exact test using the SPSS. Results: The patient dependence score showed a significant difference between the two groups, with an average of 13.99±1.85 for the suspected COVID-19 patient group and 10.58±2.10 for the general patient group (t=12.42, p<.001). There were statistically significant differences in communication (t=3.28, p=.001), mobility (t=3.29, p=.001), nutrition, elimination, and personal care (t=7.34, p<.001) among the six domains of nursing dependency. In the domains of environment, safety, health, and social needs, the dependency score was 3 for all suspected COVID-19 patients and 1 for all general patients. Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed that infection control activities of emergency patients who need isolation affect the patients' nursing dependency on nursing care.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.217-226
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for brain reperfusion injury in ischemic stroke patients and to analyze the clinical outcomes. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 168 patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-Square test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression with IBM SPSS/WIN 24.0. Results: Brain reperfusion injury occurred in 67 patients (39.9%) with a low favored outcome (𝛘²=6.01, p=.014). On multivariable analysis, blood urea nitrogen (Odds ratio [OR]=1.14, 95% Confidence interval [CI]=1.06-1.23), aphasia (OR=6.16, CI=1.62-23.40), anosognosia (OR=4.84, CI=1.13-20.79), presence of both aphasia and anosognosia (OR=7.33, CI=1.20-44.60), and time required to achieve targeted blood pressure (OR=1.00, CI=1.00-1.00) were identified as risk factors for brain reperfusion injury. A statistically significant difference was detected in clinical outcomes, including hemorrhagic transformation (𝛘²=6.32, p=.012), intensive care unit length of stay (Z=-2.08, p=.038), National Institute of Health Stroke scale score at discharge (Z=-3.14, p=.002), and modified Rankin Scale score at discharge (Z=-2.93, p=.003). Conclusion: This study identified the risk factors and presented the clinical outcomes of brain reperfusion injury. It is necessary to consider these risk factors for evaluating the patients and to establish nursing interventions and strategies.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.379-387
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the actual state of childbirth in Korean women with natural childbirth and the degree of damage to the perineum during childbirth. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of mothers who had natural childbirth at a hospital in Seoul, Korea in 2018. Data from 358 women with cephalic births at greater than 37 gestational weeks were analyzed. To determine natural childbirth characteristics and the degree of damage to the perineum, descriptive statistics were done. The difference in the degree of perineal injury according to obstetric characteristics was analyzed using independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean age was 33.18±3.68 years, and 49.2% were primiparas, while 39% gave birth with a doula. The degree of perineal damage differed by age (F=9.15, p<.001), parity (t=19.13, p<.001), number of births in multiparity (F=3.68, p=.027), previous vaginal delivery in multiparity (F=3.00, p=.032) and birthing posture (F=7.44, p<.001). Having received therapeutic procedures (t=-4.62, p<.001), specifically fluid administration (t=-2.72, p=.007), oxygen supply (t=-2.76, p=.006) and epidural anesthesia (t=-2.77, p=.006) were statistically significant for perineal damage. There were no differences, however, by gestational period, doula use, water room use in labor, baby head circumference, or birth weight. Conclusion: Study findings suggest that support for older women, primiparas, and those who require therapeutic procedures may help to decrease the possibility of perineal damage during childbirth. As perineal damage was also associated with birthing posture, this should be considered when providing intrapartum nursing care.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2022

Purpose : This study aimed to identify the status of intrahospital transport (IHT) of critically ill patients and provide baseline data to form recommendations for safer transport. Methods : Data were collected from 141 intensive care unit (ICU) nurses who attended national conferences between February and August, 2018. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA, and post-hoc analysis was conducted with the Scheffé and Games-Howell tests. Results : Of the nurses surveyed, 61.7% answered that their workplace had a transport guideline. In terms of the experience of ICU nurses, 31.2% of respondents answered that they had received training on IHT. This result indicated that the degree of implementation of the guidelines for IHT was generally high, but some, including guidelines on personnel, equipment, and monitoring, were not. Guidelines of IHT were well observed when the institutes had specific guidelines for IHT of critically ill patients with specified transport grades, a scoring system to assess stability of a patient, a checklist and a protocol for action in case of problems, and when healthcare providers were provided with training. Conclusion : These results suggest that organized infrastructure, such as a transport guideline with transport grades, a checklist to improve the implementation of guidelines, and a protocol for coping with a problem, should be provided for safe transport. Additionally, effective education and evaluation to improve the competency of staff participating in the transport of patients will help reduce the occurrence of adverse events in intensive care transport in hospitals and promote patient safety.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.494-500
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• 2022

Background Seroma formation is the most common donor site complication following autologous breast reconstruction, along with hematoma. Seroma may lead to patient discomfort and may prolong hospital stay or delay adjuvant treatment. The aim of this study was to compare seroma rates between the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP), transverse musculocutaneous gracilis (TMG), and superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) donor sites. Methods The authors conducted a retrospective single-center cohort study consisting of chart review of all patients who underwent microsurgical breast reconstruction from April 2018 to June 2020. The primary outcome studied was frequency of seroma formation at the different donor sites. The secondary outcome evaluated potential prognostic properties associated with seroma formation. Third, the number of donor site seroma evacuations was compared between the three donor sites. Results Overall, 242 breast reconstructions were performed in 189 patients. Demographic data were found statistically comparable between the three flap cohorts, except for body mass index (BMI). Frequency of seroma formation was highest at the SGAP donor site (75.0%), followed by the TMG (65.0%), and DIEP (28.6%) donor sites. No association was found between seroma formation and BMI, age at surgery, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, or DIEP laterality. The mean number of seroma evacuations was significantly higher in the SGAP and the TMG group compared with the DIEP group. Conclusion This study provides a single center's experience regarding seroma formation at the donor site after microsurgical breast reconstruction. The observed rate of donor site seroma formation was comparably high, especially in the TMG and SGAP group, necessitating an adaption of the surgical protocol.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.39-49
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• 2022

Purpose : This study investigated coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) related stress, resilience, and organizational commitment, and determined the factors influencing nurses' organizational commitment at an infectious disease hospital of COVID-19. Methods : A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted with 138 nurses. Data analysis, including descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlations, and multiple regression analysis, were performed using SPSS 26.0 program. Results : Factors influencing organizational commitment included resilience (𝛽=0.31, p<.001), position (𝛽=0.31, p<.001), COVID-19 related stress (𝛽=-0.26, p<.001), and COVID-19 nursing period (𝛽=-0.19, p=.012). These variables explained 29.6% of the organizational commitment. Conclusion : In order to enhance the organizational commitment of nurses in infectious disease hospitals of COVID-19, active program development and intervention are required at the organizational level to improve nurses' resilience and relieve stress related to nursing infectious disease patients..

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.50-63
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• 2022

Purpose : This study aimed to identify intensive care units (ICU) nurses' experience of traumatic events, deliberate rumination, self-disclosure, social support, and post-traumatic growth (PTG), and to explore relationships among the variables. Methods : Participants were 157 nurses who have provided direct patient care for six months or more in ICUs at a university hospital. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVAs, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regressions using the SPSS/WIN version 23.0. Results : The PTG was found to be significantly associated with deliberate rumination (r=0.36, p<.001), self-disclosure (r=0.39, p<.001), and social support (r=0.54, p<.001). Factors that affect PTG significantly were found in the order of social support (𝛽=0.40, p<.001), self-disclosure (𝛽=0.25, p<.001), and deliberate rumination (𝛽=0.24, p<.001). The final regression model explained 40.1% of the variance of PTG (F=26.33, p<.001). Conclusion : The influencing factors identified in this study on PTG, including social support, self-disclosure, and deliberate rumination should be included in programs to promote PTG for ICU nurses who may experience traumatic events repeatedly.