• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.113-120
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study is to identify the knowledge of and adherence to the infection control guidelines for indwelling urinary catheters, central venous catheters and ventilators among intensive care nurses. The subjects were 175 intensive care nurses working in 2 upper general hospitals and 3 general hospitals. Data were collected from July 1 to July 31, 2013. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA using SPSS 18.0 for Windows. The mean scores of the knowledge of the infection control guidelines on indwelling urinary catheters, central venous catheters and ventilators were 0.87, 0.82 and 0.82 points, respectively. The average scores for the adherence to the infection control guidelines for indwelling urinary catheters, central venous catheters and ventilators were 4.18, 4.04 and 4.07 points, respectively. Statistically significant correlations were found between the knowledge of and adherence to the infection control guidelines for indwelling urinary catheters (r=.72, p<.00), central venous catheters (r=.54, p<.001) and ventilators (r=.30, p<.001). The knowledge of and adherence to the infection control guidelines for indwelling urinary catheters differed significantly according to gender, educational status, total career, number of patients, type of hospital, and attendance of seminar. The knowledge of and adherence to the infection control guidelines for central venous catheters differed significantly according to educational status, total career, number of patients, type of hospital, and attendance of seminar. The knowledge level of the infection control guidelines for the ventilator differed significantly according to the total career. The results of this study indicate that education and training programs for improving the knowledge of adherence to the infection control guidelines should be developed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.110-117
• /
• 2018

In the present study, mec complex typing and SCCmec typing were performed to analyze the molecular genetic characteristics of 20 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from clinical specimens and 4 strains isolated from the ICU environments of secondary medical institutions in a Chungnam province, Korea, from June to July of 2017. Among a total of 20 MRSA strains isolated from clinical specimens, 8 cases (40%) were SCCmec type II, one case (5%) was SCCmec type IVa, and 11 cases (55%) were not-typeable in SCCmec type analysis. Among 4 MRSA isolates from the ICU environment, one strain did not have the mecA gene and 3 strains were typed as SCCmec types II, III, and IVa, respectively. Data from the present study showed that the origin of MRSA isolated from the clinical specimens was different from those from the ICU environment in most cases but the origin was concordant in one case. In this case, MRSA might be transmitted by healthcare workers to the ICU environment. Further study with a large number of cases and other hospital infection-related microorganisms will be needed. This continuous follow-up study might provide useful information on infection control in medical institutions.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.59 no.4
• /
• pp.389-396
• /
• 2005

Background : Central venous catheters(CVCs) area major source of nosocomial infection. Chlorhexidine-silver sulfadiazine coated catheters (CHSS) were developed to reduce the rate of CVC infection. However, the clinical effectiveness of CHSS in comparison wth non-coated catheter (NCC) remains to be evaluated. Methods : From January 2004 to December 2004 in medical intensive care unit (ICU) of Asan Medical Center, CVCs were inserted in 446 cases. We retrospectively analyzed characteristics of patients and catheterization,the catheter-related infection rate and colonization, microbiologic findings, and insertion sites (subclavian, jugular, femoral) according to the type of inserted CVCs (NCC: 187 cases, CHSS: 259 cases). Catheter related infection is defined as catheter related bacteremia and catheter related non-bacteremic sepsis. Results : 1) The mean age of the patients in each group was $62{\pm}16$ years, $63{\pm}15$ years (p=0.42), and sex ratio 94:50, 141:69 (p=0.9) in NCC and CHSS. Duration of ICU admission ($29{\pm}37$, $26{\pm}44$ p=0.42), duration of mechanical ventilation ($17{\pm}22$, $15{\pm}19$ p=0.17), and APACHE III score at the time of CVC insertion ($81{\pm}34$, $82{\pm}37$ p=0.61) were not different between both groups. 2) Mean duration of catheterization was 118 in NCC and 119 in CHSS (p=0.98). Number of catheter-days was 2176 days in NCC and 3035 days in CHSS. Catheter-related infection occurred in 9 (4.8%) cases receiving NCC and 4 cases (1.5%) receiving CHSS. Catheterrelated infection incidence per 1000 catheter-days was 4.1 and 1.3, respectively (p=0.04). CHSS was associated with a significant reduction of infection in jugular catheters regarding to insertion sites (p=0.01). 3) Microorganisms causing infection were Staphylococcus aureus (n=3), Candida (n=3), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (n=2), and Klebsiella (n=1) in NCC, and Candida species (n=2), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (n=2), Proteus (n=1) in CHSS. Conclusion : CHSS has significantly reduced the episodes of infection compared to NCC in jugular catheterization in medical ICU.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.93-101
• /
• 2002

Using the APCHE III tool, this study was about the factors related to the death of ICU-patients. From 1999. 12. 1 to 2000. 9. 30, the 284 patients admitted to ICU at P university who were over 15 years of age were selected for the subjets. The data was analyzed through SPSS WIN program for frequency, percentile, $x^2$-test, t-test and logistic regression. The results are summarized as follows: 1) Of the 284 patients, 88died. The mortality is 31.0 percent. The average APACHE III point was $48.62{\pm}32.32$. The average point of non-survivors was higher than that of survivors. 2) There are the significant difference between APACHE III marks and mortality. The mortality rate were over 50 percent 60 points of the mark. When the marks were over 100 points, the mortality were over 90 percent. Below 40 points, the mortality was below 10 percent. Among the variables in the APACHE III, the most significant variables in explaining death were neurologic abnormalities, pulse, $PaO_2$/$AaDO_2$, creatinine, sodium, glucose, chronic health state and age. According to the variables, the models explained the 42.43 percent of the variance in patient's death. In conclusion, the APACHE III tool can be used to predict the progress of ICU patients, and can also be used for the selection of patients for ICU admission/discharge criteria.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.280-292
• /
• 1998

Pressure sores are a serious concerns in that respect to increasing risk of medical complications and medical costs. Prevention and care of pressure sores is an essential area of nursing practice. The nurse at ICU should be more careful of maintaining the skin integrity of patients especially than at any other place. This study was conducted to determine if the risk facotrs of pressure sores and nutritional status of the patients at risk for pressure sores is related the occurance of pressure sore. The risk group refers the patients having the below 14 scores of the braden scale. The 100 subjects were recruited from the ICU ward at an university hospital in Choongnam. The parameters for nutritional status are the blood chemistry including plasma protein, albumin, hemoglobin and the anthropometric measurements consisting of weight, BMI, LBM, the proportion of body fat, body fluid and triceps skin fold using bioimpedence analizer and caliper. The results are as follows : 1. The subjects were 55 years and stayed 8 days on average. Of the 100 subjects, males were 61%, neurologic/neurosurgical diseases were 68% and the incidence of pressure sores was 17% mainly occuring within 3days after the admission. 2. The present paralysis(or paraplegia) and edema(arm, leg, trunk) were showed more significantly the subjects with pressure sores than those without pressure sores. 3. Regarding with the nutritional status, the subjects with pressure sores had significantly lower the weight, BMI, LBM, body fluid, albumin than the ones without pressure sores. This results were supported the reports of previous studies that the decreased weight and albumin could be the important predictors of pressure sores. Thereafter we should encourage these factors to be utilized in predicting pressure sores for a comprehensive assessment. Nurse should identify patients at risk of the development of pressure sores, assess their nutritional status and dietary intake at regular intervals.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.724-735
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate relationship between delirium, risk factors on delirium, and patient prognosis based on Donabedian's structure-process-outcome model. Methods: This study utilized a path analysis design. We extracted data from the electronic medical records containing delirium screening data. Each five hundred data in a delirium and a non-delirium group were randomly selected from electronic medical records of medical and surgical intensive care patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 and AMOS 24. Results: In the final model, admission via emergency department (Β=.06, p=.019), age over 65 years (Β=.11, p=.001), unconsciousness (Β=.18, p=.001), dependent activities (Β=.12, p=.001), abnormal vital signs (Β=.12, p=.001), pressure ulcer risk (Β=.12, p=.001), enteral nutrition (Β=.12, p=.001), and use of restraint (Β=.30, p=.001) directly affecting delirium accounted for 56.0% of delirium cases. Delirium had a direct effect on hospital mortality (Β=.06, p=.038), hospital length of stay (Β=5.06, p=.010), and discharge to another facility (not home) (Β=.12, p=.001), also risk factors on delirium indirectly affected patient prognosis through delirium. Conclusion: The use of interventions to reduce delirium may improve patient prognosis. To improve the dependency activities and risk of pressure ulcers that directly affect delirium, early ambulation is encouraged, and treatment and nursing interventions to remove the ventilator and drainage tube quickly must be provided to minimize the application of restraint. Further, delirium can be prevented and patient prognosis improved through continuous intervention to stimulate cognitive awareness and monitoring of the onset of delirium. This study also discussed the effects of delirium intervention on the prognosis of patients with delirium and future research in this area.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.89-100
• /
• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze factors influencing the adherence to guidelines for intensive care unit (ICU) nurses to control infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). Method : Participants were 194 ICU nurses at 3 university hospitals. Questions for the survey inquired about attitude, subjective norms, perception of patient safety culture to carry out MDRO management guidelines, perceived behavior control (PBC), and intention, based on the theory of planned behavior. Path analysis were utilized. Results : The path analysis presented that PBC, perception of patient safety culture, and intent had a direct effect on MDRO management guidelines. Attitude towards following the manual did not have any correlation. The hypothetical model based on the theory of planned behavior was revealed as applicable; the degree of the variance in explaining adherence to the manual was 23 %, and the variance in explaining intention to fulfill the manual was 33 %. Conclusion : The results of this study suggest that we should develop a program to improve PBC to increase adherence to MDRO management guidelines. ICU nurses' perceptions of patient safety culture should also be surveyed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.323-328
• /
• 2010

Purpose : To verify the effect of hyperglycemia on mortality rates in critically ill children and to identify the blood glucose level that influences prognosis. Methods : From July 2006 to June 2008, a total of 206 patients who were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Asan Medical Center and who survived for more than 7 days were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed the maximum glucose value within 7 days in PICU, PRISM-III score and SOFA score within 24 hours, and mortality. We did not perform an adjustment analysis of drugs affecting glucose level. Results : The maximum glucose level within 7 days in PICU was higher in the nonsurvival group than in the survival group. Using 4 cutoff values (125, 150, 175, and 200 mg/dL), the mortality of patients with hyperglycemia was found to be 13.0 %, 14.4%, 19.8%, and 21.1%, respectively, and the cutoff values of 175 and 200 mg/dL revealed significant differences in mortalities between the hyperglycemic and normoglycemic groups. The PRISM-III score was not significantly different between the hyperglycemic and normoglycemic groups under a glucose cutoff value of 175 mg/dL, but the SOFA score was higher in the hyperglycemic group. Under a glucose cutoff value of 200 mg/dL, the PRISM-III score was higher in the hyperglycemic group, and the SOFA score did not differ between the 2 groups. Conclusion : Hyperglycemia with a maximal glucose value ${\geq}175\;mg/dL$ during the first 7 days after PICU admission was associated with increased mortality in critically ill children.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.75-85
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine effects of music intervention on environmental stress and sleep quality in liver transplant patients who are receiving care in one-person isolation rooms of an ICU. Methods: The study was a quasi-experimental design pre-and-post nonequivalent control group. Participants were 37 patients (18 in the experimental group and 19 in the control group) who, after receiving liver transplant, were hospitalized in one-person isolation rooms of the ICU. The study covered patients admitted between August 2016 and December 2017. Earplugs and sleep shades were provided as ordinary care to both experimental and control groups, and music intervention was provided to the experimental group three times a day for 30 minutes each from the first day of hospitalization. Results: The first hypothesis, "The experimental group who received music intervention will experience a lower environmental stress level than the control group" was supported (Z=-3.212, p<.001). The second hypothesis, "The experimental group who received music intervention will experience a higher sleep quality than the control group" was also supported (t=3.715, p=.001). Conclusion: Findings show that music intervention is an effective nursing intervention to reduce environmental stress and improve sleep quality in liver transplant patients in the ICU.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.27-38
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a blood glucose control protocol for medical intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Methods: The blood glucose control protocol was developed through the following process: selection of preliminary protocols, clinical application, and evaluation. The clinical validity of the protocol was measured by application, along with examination of the effects of the Yale and the Mayo blood glucose protocols. Seventeen medical ICU adults patients whose blood glucose levels exceeded 200 mg/dL consecutively participated in the study. The development protocol was evaluated by an expert group. Results: Incidence of normal blood glucose levels (p=.041) increased significantly in the Yale protocol application group. Also, incidence of severe hyperglycemia (p=.029) decreased significantly and time to target range of glucose (p=.023) decreased significantly after application of the Yale protocol. However, there was no significant difference in incidence of hypoglycemia (p=.666) between three groups. Conclusion: Using the developed protocol as a basis for the modified Yale protocol was found to be effective in improving the state of blood glucose control for medical ICU patients and is expected to be used for nursing intervention in critical care.