• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.120-127
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• 2009

Purpose: The study aimed at monitoring the immune status of health care workers (HCWs) of a tertiary hospital after accidental exposure to Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2006, 353 cases of exposure to Hepatitis B virus were reported. The HBV-exposed HCWs were required to undergo follow-up serum tests to analyze their immune status one year after the exposure. The obtained data were then analyzed to determine the incidence of exposure and of sero-conversion. Results: In this hospital, an average of 9.8 cases of Hepatitis B exposure among HCWs was reported in a month. Follow-up tests conducted after exposure revealed that 90.4% of the HBV-exposed HCWs were positive for Hepatitis B antibody and 66.9% of the HBV-exposed HCWs were reported to have antibody levels exceeding 10 mIU/mL. Results of serum tests for the HBV antigen conducted one year after exposure were negative for all the exposed HCWs. Conclusion: Among the 79.6% of the HCWs who underwent serum tests one year after exposure the HBV sero-conversion rate was 0.0%. However, a further investigation in the form of long-term and multi-center studies is required to confirm this result. Furthermore, an active system should be established to ensure that all exposed HCWs undergo follow-up serum tests.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.62-82
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to assess the cause and level of conflict arising within and between departments among administration office workers who work in a recently established tertiary hospitals of a major cooperation or related non-profit cooperation: The study also aimed to find methods for resolution of such conflicts by comparing with other existing university hospitals. The subject population included 299 business administration office workers randomly selected from two cooperate related tertiary hospitals of less than 3 years in its existence and two university hospitals over 700 beds in Seoul and Kyong In area. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire. To define related factors for the level of conflict among departments in each hospitals multivariate regression analysis was conducted. Independent factors were characteristics of subjects, conflicting factors within and between the departments. The results are as follows: 1. Those in the 30-39 rears of age group demonstrated significantly higher level of conflict between departments. Those working in the new hospitals, who were older and had long-term tenure, and those with short-term job experience at current working hospital had higher level of conflict between the departments with statistical significance. 2. Concerning the involvement of conflicting factors and the level of conflict in the administration there was statistically significant positive correlation between reliability and job-related intra- and interdepartmental level of conflict in existing hospitals. There was a significant positive correlation between intradepartmental conflicting factors of mutual dependence, difference in goal/orientation and intra- and interdepartmental level of conflict. 3. In multivariate regression analysis, women more than men, and those who had worked for many years in hospitals had statistically significant influence on factors involved in interdepartmental level of conflict, explaining 51.0% of the model. 4. In existing hospitals, gender was a significant factor with women showing a higher level of interdepartmental conflict compared to men. Among the interdepartmental factors, mutual dependence had statistically significant influence and showed a positive relationship with interdepartmental level of conflict. In the new hospitals, job position was a significant factor which showed that those in high position such as section chief or above, compared to those in managerial or general position had higher level of conflict. Among the interdepartmental characteristics, factors of mutual dependence and goal/orientation had statistically significant influence and showed a positive relationship with interdepartmental level of conflict. In the new hospital setting efforts to reduce conflict in areas among workers with high position, old age, and long tenure and those in Purchasing, Material and Computer Department should be made and prudent management and planning for improved manpower and increased budget or efficient allocation and clear definition of job description are necessary to adequately assess and make improved efforts for rapid stabilization of the premature hospital system from its inception, In the existing hospitals a lack of conflict within and between departments may give rise to stagnation or inefficiency of the organization. Future study are needed with respect to the relationship between interdepartmental level of conflict and the effectiveness of the hospital organization for improved resolution of conflict in the organization and hospital management.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.2906-2916
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify musculoskeletal symptom and pain related working posture with operation-room workers. Methods: The subjects of this study were 73 people who were working from hospital operating-room. A questionnaire consisting of general characteristics, pain symptoms, and pain frequency was given. Objective working posture analysis was done by using REBA after recording moving images in hospital operating-rooms. Results: The result were as follows. The risk level of musculoskeletal symptom related working posture was high, and the management level was at the least 2; 'some management was required for musculoskeletal symptom'. The frequency of pain was 3~4 times/week and the severe pain were experienced from legs, neck, and shoulder. The result of relation of general characteristics and pain were significant variable with sex, age, marital status, weight, past working history, average working time(hr/day), working style, and working department. Conclusion: These results contribute to a better understanding of operation-room workers have high possibility of musculoskeletal disease and are severe musculoskeltal pain related working posture.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.584-593
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• 2017

This study provides basic data needed to improve the working environment of the first class emergency medical technicians, in order to decrease their job stress and increase their job satisfaction. Job stress and satisfaction were compared and analysed in emergency medical technicians who were working for 119 rescue and hospitals at the time when twenty-one years had passed after the initial training of emergency medical technicians in order to identify differences between 119 rescue and hospitals, and their advantages and disadvantages. The subjects of the study were 182 first-class emergency medical technicians who were working in twenty-eight 119 rescue centers and fourteen national and local emergency medical centers in Gwangju, Jeollanamdo and Jeollabukdo. The study subjects were interviewed by questionnaire. For statistical analysis, SPSS/WIN 20.0 was used, and the results were analysed with chi-square, t-test, ANOVA, and ANCOVA testing. There was no significant difference in job stress between the subjects working in 119 rescue centers (2.92) and those working in hospitals(3.01). The satisfaction score of fire-fighting workers was 2.98 and that of hospital workers was 2.54. Hospital workers' satisfaction was significantly lower (p<0.001). The score of hospital workers' pay satisfaction was the lowest($2.07{\pm}0.62$). The job stress decreased and job satisfaction increased with decreasing monthly average number of patients(p<0.001), increasing monthly income(p=0.047), and more frequent holidays they had(p<0.001), the less. For less job stress and higher job satisfaction, welfare conditions both at 119 rescue and hospitals should be improved. 119 rescue centers should develop violence prevention measures and offer resting places for emergency medical technicians. Hospitals should pay more attention to the yearly pay increase rate and stability in employment types.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.713-722
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• 1995

Background: Chest X-ray of coal workers' pneumoconiosis and shipyard welders' lung show similar and regular opacities mostly, it is very difficult that we distinguish the former from the latter by only chest X-ray. so we performed this study to understand the progression of the disease and to provide the disease by considering pulmonary function and other factors in proportion to the profusion of small regular opacities of chest X-ray in both groups. Method: 430 coal workers' pneumoconiosis were compared with 311 shipyard welders' lung by the number, the age, the duration of dust exposure, %vital capacity(%VC), %FEV1.0, the type of ventilatory impairment, the combined pulmonary disease according to the profusion of small regular opacities on the chest radiographs, which were classified into category 0/1, category 1, and category 2. Result: 1) the percent of category 2 in coal workers' pneumoconiosis was 54.4%. the percent of category 1, and category 2 in welders' lung were 60.0%, 7.4%. the progression to the category 2 was higher in coal workers' pneumoconiosis than in welders' lung 2) The mean age was higher in coal workers' pneumoconiosis than in welders' lung, significantly increased in proportion to the progresion of profusion of small regular opacities in both groups 3) There was no difference in the duration of dust exposure by category 1/0, but the duration of dust exposure by category 1, 2 in coal workers' pneumoconiosis more significantly increased than in welders' lung. the duration in the proportion of category 2 to category 0/1, 1 significantly increased in the proportion to small regular opacities in coal workers' pneumoconiosis. but there was no significant difference in the proportion to small regular opacities in duration of dust exposure in welders' lung. 4) There was no significant difference of mean values of %VC(%vital capacity)in both groups except for category 1. the mean values of %VC had no relationship between the progression of small regular opacities in both groups. 5) The mean values of %FEV1.0 decreased more significantly in coal workers' pneumoconiosis than in welders' lung except for category 0/1. and decreased significantly in proportion to the profusion of small regular opacities in coal workers' pneumoconiosis. there was significant difference of %FEV1.0 in the proportion of category 2 to category 011 in welders' lung. 6) there were no significant difference of %FEV1.0, %VC in smoker and nonsmoker in both groups. 7) With regard to the type of ventilation in both groups in coal workers' pneumoconiosis 21.4 percent of patients belonged to the restrictive type, 11.6 percent to the obstructive type, 5.6 percent to the combined type, but in welders' lung 21.8 percent to the restrictive type, 2.9 percent to the obstructive type, 1.9 percent to the combined type. 8. in the pulmonary disease, the incidence of the pulmonary tuberculosis was the most in both groups, was more in coal workers' pneumoconiosis than welders' lung Conclusion: If we compare coal workers' pneumoconiosis with electric arc welders'lung by considering pulmonary function and other factors in proportion to the profusion of chest X-ray, I think that we will have the better result in understanding the progression of the disease and provision of the disease in both groups.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.571-579
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• 2011

Objective: The purpose of this research is to provide exercise programs for the prevention of work related chronic back pain. Background: In order to prevent musculoskeletal disease, including proper medical care health promotion programs are needed. Method: This is a research of musculoskeletal disease looking at 618 workers working at a car engine manufacturing factory from April to July of 2008. Through questionnaire specific areas of musculoskeletal diseases experienced by the workers were identified and preventative exercise program for chronic low back pain was recommended. Result: Research showed that of the musculoskeletal disease experienced by the workers, 197 presented with low back pain, 171 presented with shoulder pain, 64 presented with neck pain and 44 presented with knee pain. The symptoms of low back pain included stiffness(143), twinge and burning sensation(24) and absence of sensation(19). Using this result 4 types of exercise programs were recommended for prevention of chronic low back pain. Conclusion: Preventative exercise programs recommended for the workers in this research is easily accessible for the workers. Use of the suggested exercise programs will inevitably decrease work related low back pain. Also 2 other recommendations were made: 1) Internal structural change may be necessary using ergonomics. 2) More exercise programs to be used to increase adaptation and tolerance of joints and muscles that are constantly used for repetitive work. Application: This study can be used to provide for the prevention of work-related Chronic Low Back pain.

• Journal of forensic and investigative science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.30-49
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• 2007

An autopsy is a postmortem assessment or examination of a body to determine cause of death or manner of death. The author had surveyed Personnel's perception toward conducting an autopsy in general hospital with autopsy at YeungNam University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea from April, to May, 2007. The total number of 286 personnel consisted of 121 men(42.3%), 165 women(57.7%). There were 57 doctors(19.9%), 71 nurses(24.8%), 83 medical technicians (29.0%), 58 office workers(20.3%), and 17 others(5.9%). 61.4% of doctors had an experience of education for autopsy more than 2 times, but nurses(1.4%), medical technicians(15.7%), office workers(1.7%), and others(5.9%) had little experience. Response of conducting an autopsy for sudden death of respondent or respondent's family member was 59.6% of doctors, 22.5% of nurses, 39.8% of medical technicians, 41.4% of office workers, and 35.3% of others. Response of conducting an autopsy for sudden death of respondent's companion was 66.7% of doctors, 33.8% of nurses, 39.8% of medical technicians, 43.1% of office workers, and 17.6% of others. Response of conducting an autopsy for sudden death of patients in general hospital was 50.9% of doctors, 8.5% of nurses, 19.3% of medical technicians, 24.1% of office workers, and 17.6% of others. Survey about a proper institution for autopsy showed 73.7% of doctors for department of forensic medicine in medical school, and 62.0% of nurses, 59.0% of medical technicians, 46.6% of office workers, and 58.8% of others for National Institute of Scientific Investigation. Most of the respondents agreed with the forensic pathologist as the director of autopsy:98.2% of doctors, 94.4% of nurses, 96.4% of medical technicians, 89.7% of office workers, and 88.2% of others. Survey for necessity for autopsy showed responsiveness of doctors, 23.9% of nurses, 47.0% of medical technicians, 34.5% of office workers, and 23.5% of others. Survey for donation of him- or herself after death to the medical school or institution for the death investigation revealed responsiveness of 22.8% of doctors, 11.3% of nurses, 24.1% of medical technicians, 22.4% of office workers, and 23.5% of others. The result of the survey questionnaire showed more negative awareness for autopsy in nurses, medical technicians, office workers, others and than doctors. To improve the negative awareness for autopsy and settle proper postmortem inspection system, education of professional manpower for forensic medicine and inaction of law which is adequate for the actual circumstance of Korea should be considered.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.38.1-38.10
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• 2023

Background: Hearing loss (HL) is linked to an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The pathogeneses of HL and CVD commonly involve inflammatory responses. Previous studies investigated elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers in subjects with HL, however, their findings did not demonstrate statistical significance. In our cross-sectional and longitudinal study, we investigated the correlation between HL and increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels to determine how HL is associated with CVDs. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with workers aged over 18 years who underwent health check-ups at our institution between 2012 and 2018 (n = 566,507), followed by conducting a longitudinal study of workers aged > 18 who underwent health checkups at least twice at our institution between 2012 and 2018 (n = 173,794). The definition of HL was as an average threshold of ≥ 20 dB in pure-tone air conduction at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kHz in both ears. The incidence of increased hsCRP levels throughout the follow-up period was defined as a level exceeding 3 mg/L. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations were performed to estimate the risk of increased hsCRP levels according to the occurrence of HL in groups stratified by age. Results: In the cross-sectional study, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.34); the OR was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.80-1.22) in those under 40 and 1.28 (1.08-1.53) in those over 40. In the longitudinal study, the multivariable-adjusted OR was 1.05 (95% CI: 0.92-1.19); the OR was 1.10 (95% CI: 0.90-1.35) in those under 40 and 1.20 (1.01-1.43) in those over 40. Conclusions: This cross-sectional and longitudinal study identified an association between HL and increased hsCRP levels in workers aged over 40 years.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.275-283
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the characteristics and knowledge of needlestick injuries, and compliance with standard precautions, in healthcare workers. Method: The participants were 185 healthcare workers working at university hospitals. Data were collected in May 2016 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients using SPSS 18.0 program. Results: It was found that 45.4% of the subjects had experienced needlestick injuries. The most common rate of getting injured was 1 or 2 times, and the most common reason for the occurrence of needlestick injuires was carelessness(66.6%). The mean scores for knowledge of needlestick injuries and compliance with standard precautions were above average. Significant correlations were found between knowledge of needlestick injuries and compliance with standard precautions in health workers, and Characteristics were related to the significant differences seen in both. Conclusion: These findings indicate that standard precautions and guidelines for the use of sharp instruments should be emphasized in order to prevent needlestick injuries in healthcare workers.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2019

Objective : The objective of this study is to determine the effects of fear of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) on socio-psychological health during an outbreak of MERS and the post-traumatic stress as a mediator on the relationship between stress and socio-psychological health. Methods : Visual Analog Scale, Impact of Event Scale -Revised, Psychosocial well-being index short form was implemented for 150 medical persons who worked at the hospital in which exposure to MERS cases had been confirmed and 96 ordinary people. A Pearson correlation coefficient and a hierarchical multiple regression was carried out to confirm the effect of fear of MERS and the mediating effect of post-traumatic stress between fear and socio-psychological health. Results : The higher the fear, the lower the socio-psychological health in both healthcare workers and the public (r=0.32, p<0.01) and the higher post-traumatic stress (r=0.32, p<0.01). But, the research results showed that only healthcare workers had a partially mediating effect of post-traumatic stress in the relationship between fear and socio-psychological health (${\beta}=0.45$, t=6.33 p<0.001), (${\beta}$ value : 0.39>0.26). Conclusion : This study demonstrated that the post-traumatic stress can indirectly lead to a negative effect on the socio-psychological health of healthcare workers when under the fear of MERS and shows adverse effects on psycho-social wellbeing. This suggests that clinical intervention and psycho-social approach aiming at reducing post-traumatic stress is important to maintain mental health during crisis development.