• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.205-213
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to confirm the compliance of the application of a ventilator-associated pneumonia bundle and understand its effects on the decrease in the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study with history control group design. Subjects were selected from January to June 2014, prior to the intervention using the ventilator-associated pneumonia bundle. Subjects were also selected from October 2014 to March 2015, 3 months after the intervention. The number of subjects was 112 before the intervention, and 107 after the intervention. Results: The number of nurses who followed the bundles increased from 8 out of 29 (27.6%) before the intervention to 19 out of 29 (65.5%) after the intervention (odd ratio= 4.99, confidence interval= 1.63-15.25, p= .004). There were 3 cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia before the intervention and 1 case after the intervention. The ventilator days were 2,143 days before the intervention and 2,232 days after the intervention. The ventilator-associated pneumonia rate of the 1,000 ventilator days was 1.40 before the intervention and decreased to 0.45 after the intervention. Conclusion: This study is meaningful, as there has been little research conducted regarding the application of the ventilator-associated pneumonia bundle in South Korea.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.214-220
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of smoking duration, smoked cigarettes per day and smoking cessation period on pulmonary function among ex-smokers: based on the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: This study was analyzed using the 6th KNHANES data. Pulmonary function tests were performed on a total of 4,214 adults (> 40 years old). A total of 770 adults ex-smokers were eligible for inclusion in the final analysis. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$) and $FEV_1/FEV$ were measured to evaluate pulmonary function. Results: This study showed that there were significant differences in both $FEV_1$ and FVC values based on gender, age and height, among ex-smokers. $FEV_1/FVC$ significantly differed by age, height and the smoking duration prior to smoking cessation. Multiple regression analysis revealed that, $FEV_1/FVC$ accounted for 26.0% of the variance by age, height and smoking duration. There was a difference in the mean value of $FEV_1/FVC$ with or without smoking for more than 10 years. Conclusion: This study's findings show that smoking for over 10 years in an ex-smoker can lead to problems with the respiratory system. The long-term cigarette has progressive ill effects on the respiratory system.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2021

Purpose: To identify the differences in perception of and adherence to the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guidelines among health care workers, patients, and the general public and to use them to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Methods: From October 16 2020 to November 30, 2020, a survey was conducted among 85 health care workers, 85 patients, and 82 general public regarding the perception of and adherence to the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guidelines. Results: Patients scored significantly higher than the general public in the adherence to the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guideline, and there was no difference between health care workers and general public, and patients and health care workers. In the multivariate analysis, the factors that influence the adherence of the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guide were found in women and the perception of the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guideline. Conclusion: In order to promote the implementation of the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guideline, it is necessary to increase the perception of the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guideline and provide additional education in men. It is necessary to investigate the reason behind why men have low adherence to the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guideline.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.339-346
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• 2021

Purpose: To determine the extent of environmental contamination and the effect of disinfection around patients with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) measurements and microbial culture tests. Methods: The subjects of this study were 10 patients hospitalized in a single room due to CRE from April 13 to 21, 2021. One hundred and sixty samples were collected using cotton swabs from the patients' environment including the surface and drain of sinks and toilet seats before and after disinfection of the room after discharge. Twenty-one samples were collected from the nurses' personal digital assistants (PDAs), keyboards, and computer mice before disinfection. The relative light units (RLUs) and CRE colony-forming units (CFU) of 181 samples were measured using ATP test equipment and chrome agar plates, respectively. Results: The highest RLUs were measured at the sink drains before and after disinfection. Four CRE samples from the sink drains (2), sink surface (1), and toilet bowl (1) before disinfection were cultured. Based on the failure criteria (≥ 250 RLU/cm² and ≥ 1 CFU/100 cm²), 90 % and 50 % of the samples from the drain exceeded the failure criteria before and after disinfection, respectively. In the culture tests, CRE was not detected after disinfection. Conclusion: According to the RLU and CFU measurements of drain samples, disinfection was not effective. Thus, improvements in the disinfection methods of drains, as well as more efficient and systematic environmental decontamination and disinfection evaluation tools, are needed to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of disinfection in various places.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.306-315
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the rest-activity circadian rhythm (RAR) using data obtained from wearable actigraph devices in hospitalized older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and to investigate its relationship with salivary alpha amylase (sAA). Methods: This secondary data analysis used data from the Hospitalized Older Adults' Cognition and Physical Activity Study. Actigraph data for 3-4 days were analyzed for RAR. RAR indices such as interdaily stability (IS), intradaily variability (IV), activity level during the most active 10-hour period and during the most least active 5-hour period, and relative amplitude (RA) were calculated. Data on sAA collected in the morning and general characteristics, including body mass index (BMI), were analyzed. Results: Data from 92 hospitalized older adults with MCI were analyzed. The IS, IV, RA were 0.23, 0.73, 0.88, respectively. The average level of sAA was 77.02 U/mL, and a higher level of sAA was significantly associated with better IS and RA in the regression analysis, while age, BMI, and cognitive level were not. BMI showed positive correlations with IS and RA. Conclusion: RAR in the hospitalized older adults with MCI was attenuated, showing especially low IS, which implies they failed to maintain regular and repetitive 24-hour RAR. Increased sAA and BMI were associated with robust RAR. Nurses need to pay attention to maintain robust RAR in hospitalized older adults with MCI, and strategies should be developed to improve their RAR.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.240-249
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to identify factors associated with nurses' vaccination acceptance in the initial stage of coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in Korea. Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data from hospital-level or higher medical institutions from May 5 to May 7, 2021 with a total of 368 nurses via an online survey. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with vaccination acceptance. Results: The acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination had an average score of 4.28 ± 0.80 out of 7 points. Among the sub-areas of acceptance, the safety of the vaccine exhibited the lowest score (average, 2.80 ± 0.83). The factors related to COVID-19 vaccination acceptance in nurses were age (over 40 compared to under 29) (β = .16, p = .008), experience (more than 11 years compared to under 5) (β = .16, p = .010), the absence of a preferred vaccine (β = -.14, p = .004), and educational background (a master's degree or higher compared to a bachelor's degree or lower) (β = .12, p = .042). Conclusion: In the initial stage of COVID-19 vaccination, nurses believed that the COVID-19 vaccine was important and that people should be vaccinated, but had concerns regarding the safety of the vaccine. Older age, more experience, the absence of a preferred vaccine, and a higher educational background were associated with higher acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, more active education on the necessity and value of vaccination for young people is required at the individual and socio-cultural level, and a sufficient supply of preferred vaccines at the national level is needed.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to define the content of the requisite knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs needed for clinical knowledge for nursing practice. Contents of knowlege on pathological physiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs were constructed from syllabus of basic nursing subjects in 4 colleges of nursing, and textbooks. The degree of need of 72 items was measured with a 4 point scale. The subjects of this study were college-graduated 136 nurses from seven university hospital in Seoul and three in Chonnam Province, Kyungbook Province, and Inchon. They have been working at internal medicine ward, surgical ward, intensive care unit, obstetrics and gynecology ward, pediatrics ward, opthalmology ward, ear, nose, and throat ward, emergency room, rehabilitation ward, cancer ward, and hospice ward. The results were as follows : 1. The highest scored items of the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs necessary for nursing practice were side effects of drugs, anticoagulants, mechanisms of drugs, antihypertensive drugs, tolerance and addiction of drugs, interactions among drugs, hospital infection in the order of importance. The lowest scored item was structure of microorganisms. 2. The highest order of need according to unit was repair in tissue injury unit, definition etiology classification of inflammation in inflammation unit, transplantation and immunologic response in alterations in immunity unit, thrombus and thrombosis in disorders of cardiovascular function unit, gene disorders in genetic disorders unit, hospital infection in infection unit, virus in microorganisms unit, side reactions of drugs in introduction unit, anticonvulsants in drugs for central nervous system unit, local anesthesia in anesthesia unit, anticoagulants in drugs for cardiovascular system unit, anti-inflammatory drugs in antibiotics unit, anti-ulcer drugs in drugs for digestive system unit, and bronchodilators in drugs for respiratory system unit. 3. The common content of the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs needed for all clinical areas in nursing were side effects of drugs, anticoagulants, interactions among drugs, and hospital infection. However, the degree of need of each pathological physiology, clinical microbiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs was different depending on clinical areas. 4. Significant differences in the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs necessary for nursing practice such as tissue changes due to injurious stimuli, degenerative changes of tissue, alterations in metabolism of carbohydrates, ischemia, hyperemia and congestion, hospital infection, structure of microorganism, classification of microorganism, bacteria, virus, antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, antiemetic drugs, antiparkinsonism drugs, antianxiety drugs, antibiotics, tuberculostatics, antiviral drugs, antifungal drugs, parasiticides, antiulcer drugs, antidiarrheais, and anti constipation drugs were shown according to the work area. 5. Significant differences in the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs necessary for nursing practice such as transplantation and immunologic response, alterations in the metabolism of uric acid, structure of microorganism, classification of microorganism, immunosuppressants, drugs for congestive heart failure were demonstrated according to the duration of work. Based on these findings, all the 72 items constructed by Korean Academic Society of Basic Nursing science should be included as contents of the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors related to obesity of mid-age women and to examine the relationship between obesity and chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Methods: Using data from Korean American adults living in California, we analyzed the health behavior (diet, exercise, smoking, and binge drinking) and psychological stress of obese women with body mass index ${\geq}25$ by using chi-square test. Logistic regression was used to investigate independent effects of obesity on chronic diseases, after controlling for risk factors. Results: The prevalence of obesity appeared about 16.9%. The Obese group was less likely than the non-obese group to eat vegetables and more likely feel psychological stress. There were no significant differences in smoking, alcohol intake, and physical exercise between the two groups. Obesity was strongly related to chronic diseases (OR=4.642, 95% CI=1.328-16.222). Conclusion: This study suggests that obesity of mid-age women could be reduced by encouraging health behavior such as eating vegetables daily, performing physical exercise regularly, and taking care of emotional stress. Diet and physical activity interventions and emotional supports should be developed for weight loss and prevention of weight gain in mid-age women.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.259-266
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze risk factors in predicting medical patients transferred to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on the general ward. Methods: We reviewed retrospectively clinical data of 120 medical patients on the general ward and a Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) between ICU group and general ward group. Data were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves using SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. Results: Fifty-two ICU patients and 68 general ward patients were included. In multivariate logistic regression, the MEWSs (Odds Ratio [OR], 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32-2.76), sequential organ failure assessment score (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.10-1.72), $PaO_2/FiO_2$ ratio (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99), and saturation (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88-0.99) were predictive of ICU transfer. The sensitivity and the specificity of the MEWSs used with a cut-off value of six were 80.8% and 70.6% respectively for ICU transfer. Conclusion: These findings suggest that early prediction and treatment of patients with high risk of ICU transfer may improve the prognosis of patients.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.41-49
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• 2002

Aim To evaluate blood pressure, blood glucose and serum lipid level in obese and nonobese type 2 diabetic patients. Methods 206 obese(76 male, 130 female) and 442 nonobese(208 male, 234 female) type 2 diabetic patients underwent fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, $HbA_1c$ total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, microalbuminuria, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and C-peptide were measured. Diabetes was diagnosed according to the American Diabetes Association(ADA)criteria. Obesity was defined as body mass index(BMI, kilograms per meters squared)${\geq}25$. Results In male, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, microalbuminuria and C-peptide were significant higher in obese than nonobese patients. Fasting blood glucose were significantly lower in obese than nonobese patients. Diastolic blood pressure, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, $HbA_1c$, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were no difference between 2 groups. In female, triglycerides and C-peptide were significant higher in obese than nonobese patients, Blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, $HbA_1c$, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, microalbuminuria, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were no difference between 2 groups. Conclusion Our present study supports that increased triglycerides play a major role in increasing the risk of coronary heart disease(CHD) in obese women type 2 diabetic patients.