• Title/Summary/Keyword: The length of hospital days

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Analysis on Oriental Medical Tour Experience of Japanese (일본인의 모 한방병원 체험에 관한 분석)

  • Kim, Doo-Hee;Lee, Dong-Eun;Kim, Hyung-Kil;Cho, Woong-Hee;Hong, Sun-Gi;Choi, Eun-Ju;Yoo, Jun-Sang;Park, Won-Hyung;Cha, Yun-Yeop;Lee, Seon-Goo;Lee, Woo-Chun
    • Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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    • v.25 no.5
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    • pp.914-918
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    • 2011
  • This survey was designed to analyze questionnaire of Japanese who experienced Oriental Medical Tourism and to facilitate it afterwards. The survey was organized for 38 Japanese participants in oriental medicine hospital from Feb. 10 to Mar. 7 in 2011. According to the research, most of them didn't know about oriental medicine but they were interested. They preferred preventive medication through health improvement to medical treatment. When making decisions on which tourism products to use, the quality of medical service came first consideration for them. The most appropriate length of visit was 4~7days and cost per day was 7100~14000 yen. We need to gather more information on their various fields of interest in order to provide customized medical service and more surveys should be conducted henceforth.

The effect of treadmill gait training with patellar taping on gait abilities in chronic stroke patients

  • Shin, Jin;Chung, Yijung
    • Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.94-102
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    • 2015
  • Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of treadmill gait training with patellar taping on gait abilities in chronic stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty chronic stroke patients who have been diagnosed at least six months or before were recruited in Gyeongin Rehabilitation Center Hospital, located in Incheon. Patients who were enrolled in this study were randomized to experimental group (n=15) or control group (n=15). Treadmill with patella taping training group patients were applied with patellar taping when they were being trained on a treadmill. Control group patients were being trained on a treadmill without any kind of taping. Gait parameters were measured with a GAITRite$^{(R)}$ system which evaluated gait performances. Gait trainings were done for 30 min/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks. Results: After treadmill training, treadmill with patella taping training group showed a significant improvement in gait abilities, including velocity, cadence, paretic and non-paretic step length, and double support period (p<0.05). However, in general treadmill group, there were no significant differences in gait parameters except velocity and cadence. There was a significant difference in gait performance in the experimental group compared with the control group, except for the gait symmetry ratio (p<0.05). Conclusions: According to this result of this study, it seems that application of patellar taping in treadmill gait training for chronic stroke patients significantly improved gait abilities of these patients. Also, we can conclude that patella taping is thought to be useful in real clinical settings where there are many chronic patients who are in need of improvement in their gait abilities.

A Comparison of Minilaparotomy and Laparoscopic Sterilization (Minilaparotomy 불임술(不妊術)과 복강경불임술(腹腔鏡不妊術)에 관(關)한 비교연구(比較硏究))

  • Bai, Byoung-Choo
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.17-25
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    • 1977
  • Anderson(1937), Power and Barnes(1941) reported a study concerning a method of tubal sterilization in association with peritoneoscopy or laparoscopy in which they cauterized the tubes. There appears to have been a hiatus of interest in sterilization (cold or hot) associated with laparoscopy until reintroduction by Palmer(1963), Frangenheim(1964) and Steptoe(1967). On the other hand, for interval female sterilization, however, minilaparotomy is relatively new. By Saunder and Munsick(1972), John Lyle(1974), Frank Stubb(1974), Vitoon(1973) and B.C. Bai(1975), their own technique for interval female sterilization requires 2.0 to 2.5cm, incision at the margin of the mons pubis. In Korea, female sterilization by means of minilaparotomy firstly reported by B.C. Bai using Bai's uterine elevator, of his own device, early in 1975. Recently inteval female sterilization by laparoscopy and minilaparotomy are widely accepted throughout the world especially in Asian countries. Minilaparotomy is carried out from 1974, laparoscopic sterilization from 1976, and in this study each of 250 cases of those were analysed and discussed for the comparison at Seoul Red Cross Hospital. (1) In the age distribution, numerous clients were in their age of $31{\sim}35$ in laparoscopy as well as minilaparotomy. Average 33.7 years in L and 33.2 years in M. (M=minilaparotomy, L=laparoscopic sterilization) (2) As regarding living children, women having 3 children represented the greatest number, 113 cases out of 250 in M group and 102 cases out of 250 in L group. Average No. of child are 2.9 in Land 3.1 in M. (3) Concidering the operation day in the menstrml cycle, the greatest number of cases, those who underwent tubal sterilization during the days of $26{\sim}$, next during the $6{\sim}10$ days of the cycle in both group. (4) Concidering the operation time, 188 cases by laparoscopy were performed in $6{\sim}10$ minutes, 33 cases within 5 minutes and 24 cases in $11{\sim}15$ minutes. Maximum 50 minutes, minimum 4 minutes and average 8.3 minutes. The majority of cases (154 cases) by minilaparotomy required $6{\sim}10$ minutes and 67 cases $11{\sim}15$ minutes, 6 cases within 5 minutes. Maximum 30 minutes, minimum 4 minutes and average 10.4, minutes. In both groups, most of the reasons for the extra length were surgical difficulties such as thick abdominal wall, pelvic adhesion, less cooperation of patients in early period of this study. (5) Hospital stay after operation in L group required $3{\sim}4$ hours in 125 cases, $2{\sim}3$ hours in 41 cases, $4{\sim}5$ hours in 32 cases out of 250. Maximum 8 hours, minimum 1 hour and average 3.8 hours. In M group hospital stay required $6{\sim}7$ hours in 100 cases, over 7 hours in 85 cases, $5{\sim}6$ hours in 46 cases and so on. Maximum 14 hours, minimum 2 hours and average 6.5 hours. (6) The time between operation and gas passing in the majority cases of both groups, were $12{\sim}36$ hours. A veragetime 20.3 hours in L and 27.2 in M. (7) Laparoscopic sterilization coincident with induced abortion were carried out in 27 cases, laparoscopy with minilaparotomy to control for mesosalpingeal hemorrhage in 1 case. Minilaparotomy coincident with induced abortion were performed in 65 cases, D and C whit polypectomy, menstrual regulatian, and remaval of IUD in 1 case respectively. (8) In L group, 1 case of mesosalpingeal hemorrhage, 1 case of abdominal wall infection were complicated during operation. In M group, 1 case of uterine perfaration, 1 case of abdominal wall infection, 1 case of hemorrhage from omentum and 1 case of bloody vaginal discharge were complicated. No intensive medical treatment was required for those minor complications in both groups. (9) No failure has been recognized and these two sterilization techniques might be the simple, safe and the most effective method for permanent contraception at present time. There is no significant clinical defference between L and M group in this study.

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Health in Optimal Fitness and its Related Factors in Young Korean Children Born Prematurely

  • Lee, Sangmi;Sohn, Min;Kim, Shinjeong;Choi, Sunha;Jun, Yonghoon;Ahn, Youngmee
    • Child Health Nursing Research
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.336-345
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    • 2016
  • Purpose: This study was conducted to describe health in optimal fitness (HOF) in young children born prematurely and to analyze factors affecting HOF in health status, investment resources, and anthropological values, based on HOF theory. Methods: A case-control study of 76 children with preterm births (PTB) was conducted at 24 to 42 months of corrected age. Their HOF status was evaluated based on height, weight, head circumference, and the Korean-Bayley Scale of Infant Development-II and classified as either HOF-achieved or HOF-uncertain in the domain of growth, development, and all together. Results: For growth, development, and all, 26.3%, 27.6%, and 47.4% of children, respectively, belonged to the HOF-uncertain group. Logistic regression analysis showed that longer length of hospital stay (${\geq}21days$; OR=7.8; 95% CI [1.5, 40.5]), worse scores on the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) (${\geq}38$; OR=0.1; 95% CI [0.0, 0.4]), having a working mother, (OR=5.7; 95% CI [1.2, 27.6]), and an older mother (${\geq}35years$; OR=8.8; 95% CI [2.1, 37.3]) were statistically significant contributors of HOF-uncertain in the domain of all. Conclusion: Findings show that young children born prematurely with prolonged stays in a neonatal intensive care unit and insufficient socioeconomic resources at home are more likely to exhibit delayed growth and development.

A Clinical Study of Corrosive Esophagitis (식도부식증에 대한 임상적 고찰)

  • 조진규;차창일;조중생;최춘기
    • Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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    • 1981.05a
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    • pp.7-8
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    • 1981
  • Authors observed clinically 34 cases of the corrosive esophagitis caused by various corrosive agents at Kyung Hee University Hospital from Aug. 1978 to Dec. 1980. The results obtained were as follows; 1. Among the 34 patients, male was 19 (55.9%) and female 15(44.1%). Most frequently found age was 3rd decade. 2. 18 cases(52.9%) came to the hospital within 24 hours after ingestion of the agents, and 13 cases(38.2%) within 2 to 7 days. 3. Seasonal distribution showed most frequently in spring(35.3%). 4. The moment of the accident was suicidal attempt in 27 cases(79.4%) and misdrinking in 7 cases(20.6%). 5. Acetic acid was a most commonly used agent, showing 23 cases(67.6%), lye and insecticides were next in order. 6. Common chief complaints were swallowing difficulty and sore throat. 7. The average hospital days was 14.8 days. 8. Esophagogram was performed between 3 to 7 days after ingestion in 13 cases(38.2 %), findings were constrictions on the 1st narrowing portion in 4 cases(30.8%) and within normal limits in 3 cases(23.1%). 9. Esophagoscopy was performed in 31 cases(91.2%) between 2 to 7 days after ingestion, which revealed edema and coating on entrance of the esophagus in 9 cases (29.0 %). Diffuse edema on entire length of the esophagus and within normal limits were next in order. 10. Laboratory results were as follows: Anemia was in 1 cases(2.9%), leukocytosis. in 21 cases (61.8%), increase ESR in 9 cases (26.5%), markedly increased BUN and creatinine in 3 cases (8.8%), and hypokalemia in 1 cases(2.9%). Proteinuria in 10 cases(29.4%) hematuria in 4 cases(l1.8%), and coca cola urine in 3 cases (8.8%). 11. Associated diseases were 3 cases(8.8%) of cancer, 1 cases (2.9%) of diabetes mellitus, and 1 cases(2.9%) of manic depressive illness. 12. Various treatment was given: Esophageal and gastric washing in 23 cases(67.6%) for the emergent treatment, antibiotics in 32 cases(94.1%), steroids in 30 cases(88.2%), bougienation in 5 cases(14.7%), hemodialysis in 1 case(2.9%), and partial esophagectomy with gastrostomy and gastroileal anastomosis in 1 cases(2.9%). 13. Serious complications were observed in 9 cases (26.5%), consisted of 6 cases(17.6%) of esophageal stricture, 1 cases(2.9%), of aute renal failure, 1 cases (2.9%) of pneu momediastinum with pneumonia, and 1 cases (2.9%) of pneumonia.

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Hepatitis Complicated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection (Mycoplasma pneumoniae 폐렴에 합병된 간염)

  • Lee, Jin-Tae;Kim, Hee-Sup;Tchah, Hann
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.207-212
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    • 2001
  • Purpose: Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is relatively common in childhood. Its extrapulmonary manifestations have been reported so much, but hepatitis associated with it has not been studied yet until now in Korea. Methods: We performed the prospective study of 19 cases that had AST and ALT>50 IU/L respectively without evidence of hepatitis A, B, C, cytomegalovirus, and Ebstein-Barr virus infections amongst 143 patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Seoul Red Cross Hospital from Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2000. Results: 1) Hepatitis occurred in 13.3% of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, especially in fall and winter times. The average age was 4.86 years and male to female ratio was 2.2:1. 2) Vomiting was developed in 21.1%, diarrhea in 36.8%, and hepatomegaly in 21.1%, respectively. And leukocytosis was noted in 21.1%, eosinophilia in 15.4%, anemia in 10.5%, and thrombocytosis in 5.3%, respectively. The average level of C-reactive protein was $6.34{\pm}4.82$ mg/dl. 3) There was no hyperbilirubinemia, but hypoalbuminemia was detected in 42.1%. The average serum levels of AST and ALT were $214.05{\pm}183.22$ IU/L and $284.16{\pm}286.84$ IU/L, respectively. 4) Chest radiology showed lobar or lobular consolidation in 73.7%, bronchial infiltration in 26.3%, and pleural effusion in 31.6%. 5) The average length of hospitalization was 7.9 days, and the average length of normalization of serum transaminases was 8.8 days. All patients recovered within 2 weeks completely. Conclusion: The prognosis of M. pneumoniae hepatitis is good. However, its incidence is not so low that liver function should be considerately checked in case of M. pneumoniae infection.

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A Study on the Relationship Between Length of Time and Contamination in Open Intravenous Solutions (정맥주사용 수액의 개방후 시간경과에 따른 오염도에 관한 실험연구)

  • 김일원
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.67-80
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    • 1986
  • The use of intravenous solutions for fluid replacement has become an integral part of patient care, This widespread use of intravenous solutions has increased the risk of contamination that can lead to septicemia and phlebitis. The literature regarding contamination of in use intravenous solutions recommends a standard 24-hour time limit on the use of these fluids. But the desings of these studies did not incorporate a time variable related to contamination. In other studies, however, time was a manipulated variable: but data regarding the onset of contamination were conflicting. Because published reports conflict with regard to a time standard related to the use of intravenous therapy, additional empirical data are needed upon which to base the standards of care regulating use of intravenous therapy. This study investigated rate of contamination in simulated in-use intravenous solutions to obtain data from which to recomend a standard time period for the administration of intravenous solutions. In this study samples were drawn from 60 bottles of 5% D/W solution at predetermined time intervals over 48 hours and samples were inoculated to Thio-glychollate Broth. After 10 days' culturing in that Broth, samples were cultured on blood agar plates for 18∼48 hours to determine the rate of contamination. was found at all time Period, regardless of the presence or absence of nurse's gloving in the preparation of fluids, the location in which the experimentations were performed, the contamination level of surrounding air, or the length of time during which solutions were opened. Data from this study support the use of a 48-hour time period on which to base the standard involved in ready-to-use simple intravenous solutions without additives. In emergency departments and critical care areas where intravenous solutions are prepared in advance, the suggested time standard supported by the data generated from this study is 48 hours, not 24 hour. Data from this study support a 24-hour time standard for changing in-use intravenous solutions when the contamination results from the manipulation of intravenous infusion system by hospital personnel, or from some other exogenous sources during administration. Because contamination that does occur within 48 hours in intravenous solutions must be introduced from some exogenous sources, further empirical studies based on the identification of sources of contamination and factors that affect the rate of contamination, are needed to investigate the currently employed standard of intravenous therapy and to provide the patient with more efficient and safer intravenous thereapy.

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A Study of the Anxiety Levels of Hospitalized Psychiatric Patients in Terms of Length of Hospitalization (정신과 입원환자의 입원기간에 따른 불안정도에 관한 연구)

  • 김윤희
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.45-63
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    • 1981
  • This study was done to determine the relationship between the anxiety levels of hospitalized psychiatric patients and various influencing variables. The purpose of this study was to determine factors that may help hospitalized psychiatric patients to experience lower levels of anxiety in relation to changing situations and provide the basic data for a dynamic approach which is important in the field of modern psychiatric nursing that understands and analyses the meaning of patients behavior. The anxiety may produce stress, which is a common experience among all human beings. Patients may merely feel uncomfortable in the state of mild anxiety, however, the severe state could be an obstacle to treatment and recovery from disease. The anxiety of the psychiatric patient is a factor which greatly influencing the patient's behavior, so his disorderd behavior is an expression of defence or pathologically fixed behavior. According the psychiatric patient's anxiety at the time of admission is the concern of the health team. The nurse's special concern has to do with understanding and supporting the patient and meeting his individual needs by frequent close contact during the entire hospitalization period, compared to other teamembers the nurse's responsibility in this regard is greated. So this study emphasizes the necessity of creating conditions these, but above all the psychiatric nurse should create a therapeutic environment by not only regarding the patient's behavior or symptoms but understanding the meaning of them. The subjects of this study were 57 psychiatric patients selected from the K neuropsychiatric hospital located in Kunsan city. Data were collected twice from the same patients within a 24 hour period after admission and 10 days after admission. (September 18th to November 8th, 1980). The data collected method was through direct interview, and the interview time was 20 minutes for each patient. Data analysis included Item Analysis & Internal Consistency Reliability Tests, Percentages, t-test, analysis of variance and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The findings of this study were as follows. A. Test of Hypothesis a. Hypothesis 1 :“The anxiety level of psychiatric patients within 24 hours after admission will be higher than those of the same patients 10 days after admission,”was accepted. (t = 3. 15 ; p < 0.005) b. Hypothesi 2:“The more the number of admissions the higher the level of anxiety related to two categories”, was accepted. (affective anxiety: F = 5.50, p < 0.005, Somatic anxiety: F = 9.12, p <.

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Utility of Computed Tomography in a Differential Diagnosis for the Patients with an Initial Diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation

  • Park, Hyung Jun;Kim, Soo Han;Kim, Ho-Cheol;Lee, Bo Young;Lee, Sei Won;Lee, Jae Seung;Lee, Sang-Do;Seo, Joon Beom;Oh, Yeon-Mok
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.82 no.3
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    • pp.234-241
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    • 2019
  • Background: The utility of computed tomography (CT) in the differential diagnosis of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation remains uncertain. However, due to the low cost associated with CT scan along with the impact of Koreas' health insurance system, there has been a rise in the number of CT scans in the patients with initial diagnosis of COPD exacerbations. Therefore, the utility of CT in the differential diagnosis was investigated to determine whether performing CT scans affect the clinical outcomes of the patients with an initial diagnosis of COPD exacerbation. Methods: This study involved 202 COPD patients hospitalized with an initial diagnosis of COPD exacerbation. We evaluated the change in diagnosis or treatment after performing a CT scan, and compared the clinical outcomes of patient groups with vs. without performing CT (non-CT group vs. CT group). Results: After performing CT, the diagnosis was changed for two (3.0%) while additional diagnoses were made for 27 of the 64 patients (42.1%). However, the treatment changed for only one (1.5%), and six patients (9.3%) received supplementary medication. There were no difference in the median length of hospital stay (8 [6-13] days vs. 8 [6-12] days, p=0.786) and intensive care unit care (14 [10.1%] vs. 11 [16.7%], p=0.236) between the CT and non-CT groups, respectively. These findings remained consistent even after the propensity score matching. Conclusion: Utility of CT in patients with acute COPD exacerbation might not be helpful; therefore, we do not recommend chest CT scan as a routine initial diagnostic tool.

A Study on Hoslital Nurses' Preferred Duty Shift and Duty Hours (병원 간호사의 선호근무시간대에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Gyeong-Sik;Jeong, Geum-Hui
    • The Korean Nurse
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    • v.36 no.1
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    • pp.77-96
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    • 1997
  • The duty shifts of hospital nurses not only affect nurses' physical and mental health but also present various personnel management problems which often result in high turnover rates. In this context a study was carried out from October to November 1995 for a period of two months to find out the status of hospital nurses' duty shift patterns, and preferred duty hours and fixed duty shifts. The study population was 867 RNs working in five general hospitals located in Seoul and its vicinity. The questionnaire developed by the writer was used for data collection. The response rate was 85.9 percent or 745 returns. The SAS program was used for data analysis with the computation of frequencies, percentages and Chi square test. The findings of the study are as follows: 1. General characteristics of the study population: 56 percent of respondents was (25 years group and 76.5 percent were "single": the predominant proportion of respondents was junior nursing college graduates(92.2%) and have less than 5 years nursing experience in hospitals(65.5%). For their future working plan in nursing profession, nearly 50% responded as uncertain The reasons given for their career plan was predominantly 'personal growth and development' rather than financial reasons. 2. The interval for rotations of duty stations was found to be mostly irregular(56.4%) while others reported as weekly(16.1%), monthly(12.9%), and fixed terms(4.6%). 3. The main problems related to duty shifts particularly the evening and night duty nurses reported were "not enough time for the family, " "afraid of security problems after the work when returning home late at night." and "lack of leisure time". "problems in physical and physiological adjustment." "problems in family life." "lack of time for interactions with fellow nurses" etc. 4. The forty percent of respondents reported to have '1-2 times' of duty shift rotations while all others reported that '0 time'. '2-3 times'. 'more than 3 times' etc. which suggest the irregularity in duty shift rotations. 5. The majority(62.8%) of study population found to favor the rotating system of duty stations. The reasons for favoring the rotation system were: the opportunity for "learning new things and personal development." "better human relations are possible. "better understanding in various duty stations." "changes in monotonous routine job" etc. The proportion of those disfavor the rotating 'system was 34.7 percent. giving the reasons of"it impedes development of specialization." "poor job performances." "stress factors" etc. Furthermore. respondents made the following comments in relation to the rotation of duty stations: the nurses should be given the opportunity to participate in the. decision making process: personal interest and aptitudes should be considered: regular intervals for the rotations or it should be planned in advance. etc. 6. For the future career plan. the older. married group with longer nursing experiences appeared to think the nursing as their lifetime career more likely than the younger. single group with shorter nursing experiences ($x^2=61.19.{\;}p=.000;{\;}x^2=41.55.{\;}p=.000$). The reason given for their future career plan regardless of length of future service, was predominantly "personal growth and development" rather than financial reasons. For further analysis, the group those with the shorter career plan appeared to claim "financial reasons" for their future career more readily than the group who consider the nursing job as their lifetime career$(x^2$= 11.73, p=.003) did. This finding suggests the need for careful .considerations in personnel management of nursing administration particularly when dealing with the nurses' career development. The majority of respondents preferred the fixed day shift. However, further analysis of those preferred evening shift by age and civil status, "< 25 years group"(15.1%) and "single group"(13.2) were more likely to favor the fixed evening shift than > 25 years(6.4%) and married(4.8%)groups. This differences were statistically significant ($x^2=14.54, {\;}p=.000;{\;}x^2=8.75, {\;}p=.003$). 7. A great majority of respondents(86.9% or n=647) found to prefer the day shifts. When the four different types of duty shifts(Types A. B. C, D) were presented, 55.0 percent of total respondents preferred the A type or the existing one followed by D type(22.7%). B type(12.4%) and C type(8.2%). 8. When the condition of monetary incentives for the evening(20% of salary) and night shifts(40% of. salary) of the existing duty type was presented. again the day shift appeared to be the most preferred one although the rate was slightly lower(66.4% against 86.9%). In the case of evening shift, with the same incentive, the preference rates for evening and night shifts increased from 11.0 to 22.4 percent and from 0.5 to 3.0 percent respectively. When the age variable was controlled. < 25 yrs group showed higher rates(31.6%. 4.8%) than those of > 25 yrs group(15.5%. 1.3%) respectively preferring the evening and night shifts(p=.000). The civil status also seemed to operate on the preferences of the duty shifts as the single group showed lower rate(69.0%) for day duty against 83. 6% of the married group. and higher rates for evening and night duties(27.2%. 15.1%) respectively against those of the married group(3.8%. 1.8%) while a higher proportion of the married group(83. 6%) preferred the day duties than the single group(69.0%). These differences were found to be statistically all significant(p=.001). 9. The findings on preferences of three different types of fixed duty hours namely, B, C. and D(with additional monetary incentives) are as follows in order of preference: B type(12hrs a day, 3days a wk): day shift(64.1%), evening shift(26.1%). night shift(6.5%) C type(12hrs a day. 4days a wk) : evening shift(49.2%). day shift(32.8%), night shift(11.5%) D type(10hrs a day. 4days a wk): showed the similar trend as B type. The findings of higher preferences on the evening and night duties when the incentives are given. as shown above, suggest the need for the introductions of different patterns of duty hours and incentive measures in order to overcome the difficulties in rostering the nursing duties. However, the interpretation of the above data, particularly the C type, needs cautions as the total number of respondents is very small(n=61). It requires further in-depth study. In conclusion. it seemed to suggest that the patterns of nurses duty hours and shifts in the most hospitals in the country have neither been tried for different duty types nor been flexible. The stereotype rostering system of three shifts and insensitiveness for personal life aspect of nurses seemed to be prevailing. This study seems to support that irregular and frequent rotations of duty shifts may be contributing factors for most nurses' maladjustment problems in physical and mental health. personal and family life which eventually may result in high turnover rates. In order to overcome the increasing problems in personnel management of hospital nurses particularly in rostering of evening and night duty shifts, which may related to eventual high turnover rates, the findings of this study strongly suggest the need for an introduction of new rostering systems including fixed duties and appropriate incentive measures for evenings and nights which the most nurses want to avoid, In considering the nursing care of inpatients is the round-the clock business. the practice of the nursing duty shift system is inevitable. In this context, based on the findings of this study. the following are recommended: 1. The further in-depth studies on duty shifts and hours need to be undertaken for the development of appropriate and effective rostering systems for hospital nurses. 2. An introduction of appropriate incentive measures for evening and night duty shifts along with organizational considerations such as the trials for preferred duty time bands, duty hours, and fixed duty shifts should be considered if good quality of care for the patients be maintained for the round the clock. This may require an initiation of systematic research and development activities in the field of hospital nursing administration as a part of permanent system in the hospital. 3. Planned and regular intervals, orientation and training, and professional and personal growth should be considered for the rotation of different duty stations or units. 4. In considering the higher degree of preferences in the duty type of "10hours a day, 4days a week" shown in this study, it would be worthwhile to undertake the R&D type studies in large hospital settings.

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