Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science (대한임상검사과학회지)

Korean Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (대한임상검사과학회)
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Infection Control in Pulmonary Function Laboratories in Domestic Hospitals

국내 의료기관의 폐기능검사실에서 감염관리 실태조사

  • Nan-Hee LEE (Pulmonology Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital) ;
  • Suhng Wook KIM (Department of Health and Safety Convergence Science, Graduate School, Korea University)
  • 이난희 (서울대학교병원 폐기능검사실) ;
  • 김성욱 (고려대학교 대학원 보건안전융합과학과)
  • Received : 2023.08.02
  • Accepted : 2023.08.21
  • Published : 2023.09.30
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Abstract

The global outbreak of COVID-19 has underscored the pressing need for robust infection control practices in pulmonary function laboratories (PFL). However, the existing guidelines and regulatory frameworks provided by relevant authorities in the country have revealed certain deficiencies in effectively addressing this significant public health crisis. This study surveyed the infection control regulations, disposable item usage, ventilation facilities, spatial separation, and the configuration of entrance doors in 51 domestic hospital facilities from Oct 1, 2021, to Nov 2, 2021. The survey findings revealed that while there was a relatively satisfactory adherence to airborne, droplet, and contact precautions with adequate awareness and utilization of personal protective equipment, the environmental disinfection practices exhibited a suboptimal performance rate of 39.22% per patient. Depending on the specific survey domains, substantial variations were observed in the utilization of disposable items (81.05%), ventilation systems (45.75%), dedicated testing spaces (80.39%), separation of administrative areas (15.69%), and the installation of automated doors (19.61%). This study not only highlights the paramount importance of infection control in PFLs within domestic medical institutions but also provides foundational data for developing and enhancing standardized guidelines that align with international benchmarks for infection control in these settings.

2019년 12월에 발생한 COVID-19는 세계적으로 대유행하였고, 이로 인해 폐기능검사실의 안전한 감염관리가 절실히 요구되었다. 그러나 국내 유관 기관에서 제공하는 지침과 규제는 이 심각한 공중보건 위기에 대응하기에는 부족한 실정이었다. 이에 본 연구에서는 2021년 10월 1일부터 2021년 11월 2일까지 국내 2차 이상 의료기관 51개를 대상으로 감염관리 기본규정, 일회용품 사용, 환기 시설, 공간 분리, 출입문의 형태 등에 대해 조사하였다. 그 결과, 공기 주의, 비말 주의, 접촉 주의를 위한 인식과 보호용구착용은 상당 부분 적절히 이루어지고 있었으나, 1인 검사 후 환경소독을 항상 시행하는 기관이 39.22%로 낮은 수준으로 조사되었다. 또한, 일회용품 사용(81.05%), 환기 시설(45.75%), 검사 전용 공간(80.39%), 사무 공간 분리(15.69%), 자동문 설치(19.61%)의 경우 조사 항목에 따라 큰 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구는 국내 폐기능검사실의 감염관리의 일반적 사항과 시설의 실태조사를 통해 폐기능검사실의 감염관리의 중요성을 재고하고, 국내 의료기관의 감염병 위기 대응을 위한 후속 연구에 기초 정보를 제공함으로써, 폐기능검사실의 감염관리 표준 지침서 개발 및 개선에 기여할 것으로 판단된다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This article is a condensed form of the first author's master's (doctoral) thesis. We thank Kim SH, Yoo MJ, and Son JH for their research assistance. And we thank Kim JH, Shinhan Medical, Kim JH for helping with the survey. This paper was supported by the Korean Association of Medical Technologists in 2023 and Proceeded by support project for thesis submission by member practitioners. Proofreading performed by Park CE.

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