• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.12-24
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• 2024

Purpose : This study aimed to identify factors influencing the quality of life of family caregivers of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Methods : We conducted a study using a cross-sectional design. The study involved 109 family caregivers of ICU patients at a university-affiliated hospital in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires between July 2020 and April 2021 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results : The study revealed significant differences in quality of life based on economic status (F=11.63, p<.001), cohabitation with patients (t=-2.04, p=.044), sleep duration after patient's admission to the ICU (t=-2.48, p =.025), and subjective health status (F=30.06, p<.001). There were significant negative correlations observed between quality of life and post-traumatic stress symptoms (r=-.38, p<.001) as well as caregiver burden (r=-.46, p<.001). Factors affecting quality of life were subjective health status, economic status, and caregiver burden (adj. R²=0.52, F=15.64, p<.001). Conclusion : These findings underscore the need to develop and implement intervention programs tailored to the health conditions and economic status of family caregivers, with a focus on alleviating caregiver burden. Such initiatives are essential to ultimately improve the quality of life for family caregivers of ICU patients.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.287-295
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• 2003

Purpose: This descriptive study was conducted to project the number of critical care APNs needed in critical care units in an acute care hospital setting, up to the year 2020. Method: Necessary data and information were collected from various funded reports, professional literature, web-sites and personal visits to national and private institutions. The demand of critical care APNs were projected based on two critical care APNs per critical care units. Result: The projected number of critical APNs for the critical care units in acute care hospital settings as follows: 1) The total projected number of critical care APNs needed for critical care units were 1,270 in 2001. 2) By the year 2020, total number of projected critical care APNs needed in critical care units will be 1,080-1,700. Conclusion: In order to match the supply to the need, the professional organization should direct their efforts toward enacting legislation. Educational systems should identify strategies in initiation of critical care APN programs in masters level as well as standardizing curriculums across the programs.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.401-411
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was performed to develop a valid and reliable Korean Patient Classification System for Critical Care Nurses (KPCSC). Methods: Tertiary and general hospitals with various levels of ICU nurse staffing were included. To verify interrater reliability, data collectors and staff nurses of 15 ICUs in 11 hospitals classified 262 patients. To verify construct validity, the staff nurses classified 457 patients according to KPCSC comparing difference by medical department and type of stay in ICU. For conversion index, 195 patients from 10 ICUs in 7 hospitals were classified and nursing time was measured by 174 nurses, 7 head nurses, 18 charge nurses, 37 nurse aids and 1 secretary. Results: The developed KPCSC has 11 categories, 82 nursing activities and 115 criterias. Reliability was found to have high agreement (r=.96). Construct validity was verified by comparing differences in medical department and type of stay in ICU. According to scores, four groups in the KPCSC were identified. One score on the KPCSC indicates 6.12 minutes of nursing time. Conclusion: The findings show that the KPCSC can be used to measure new and complex nursing demands including rehabilitation and the safety of ICU patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the results after implementing a simulation based critical care nursing education with $MicroSim^{(R)}$. Method: Simulation based education was used for a clinical scenario on a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and acute coronary syndrome(ACS). Self-learning program was used for an acute asthma attack and acute myocardial infarction(AMI) in the $MicroSim^{(R)}$. A total of 97 nursing students were chosen. A pretest and posttest was conducted to evaluate learning achievement, clinical performance ability and self-directed learning. Result: Learning achievement and clinical performance ability significantly increased but self-directed learning did not. Conclusion: Simulation based education used with $MicroSim^{(R)}$ was useful for improving learning achievement and clinical performance ability of nursing students. Further studies are needed to compare the effects of simulation based education.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.95-107
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• 2018

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the public's perception of reimbursement for the education and counseling services provided to advanced practice nurses in intensive care units. Method : This was a secondary data analysis study. The original data were collected utilizing an online panel. The sample comprised 615 individuals aged between 19 and 49 years nationwide. The study variables included the public's perception of reimbursement for education and counseling services, age, gender, education level, income, and health status. Variables such as past experience of being admitted to an intensive care unit by self, family, or relatives and the recognition of advanced practice nurses were also examined. Results : The mean of the perception score was 3.15 on a 4-point scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). Among the participants, 89.2% answered "somewhat agreed" or "strongly agreed" to the question about the education and counseling services being covered by the National Health Insurance. Moreover, education level, past experience of being admitted to an intensive care unit by self, family, or relatives, and recognition of advanced practice nurses were significantly associated with the perception score. Conclusion : Efforts should be made to publicize the need for the education and counseling services that are provided to advanced practice nurses in intensive care units.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.251-263
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• 2012

Purpose: It was necessary for developing a neonatal classification system based on nursing needs and direct care time. This study was, thus, aimed at identifying nursing activities and measuring the standard nursing practice time for developing a neonatal patient classification system in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Methods: The study was taken place in 8 general hospitals located in Seoul and Kyungi province, South Korea from Dec, 2009 to Jan, 2010. By using 'the modified Workload Management System for critical care Nurses' (WMSN), nursing categories, activities, standard time, and task frequencies were measured with direct observation. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Results: Neonatal nursing activities were categorized into 8 areas: vital signs (manual), monitoring, activity of daily living (ADL), feeding, medication, treatment and procedure, respiratory therapy, and education-emotional support. The most frequent and time-consuming area was an ADL, unlike that of adult patients. Conclusion: The findings of the study provide a foundation for developing a neonatal patient classification system in NICU. Further research is warranted to verify the reliability and validity of the instrument.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

Purpose : The aim of this study was to propose appropriate nurse staffing of adult intensive care units considering patients' nursing care needs according to the Workload Management System for Critical Care Nurses (WMSCN). Methods : In a cross-sectional survey conducted in September 2017, 1,786 patients' WMSCN scores, surveys from 2,145 nurses, and administrative data from 118 units in 41 hospitals were analyzed. The means (standard deviations) of the aforementioned scores and nursing hours per patient day were presented. Nurse-to-patient ratios and nurse-to bed ratios for staffing to meet patients' nursing care needs were calculated. Results : The mean WMSCN scores were 109.50±17.17 in tertiary hospitals and 96.38±19.26 in general hospitals. Nursing hours per patient day were 12.47±2.80 in tertiary hospitals and 11.01±2.45 in general hospitals. Nursing hours per patient day correlated with WMSCN scores. Nurse-to-bed ratios required for the provision of ICU nursing care ranged from 1: 0.36 to 1: 0.48. Conclusion : Our findings provide evidence that current ICU nurse staffing is insufficient for meeting patients' nursing care needs. We suggest adjusting the legal standards for adequate nurse staffing considering these needs.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.24-41
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• 2021

Purpose : The aim of this integrative review was to describe communication experiences and needs among the critically ill with an artificial airway and evaluate relevant intervention studies. Methods : Using the method employed by Whittemore and Knafl (2005), we searched for papers on PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science published from January 1, 2015 to September 25, 2020. A total of 26 papers (11 descriptive studies, 15 experimental ones) were identified and evaluated. Results : Communication experiences while having an artificial airway, identified either by patients' recall or direct observation, were predominantly negative. However, positive experiences were reported in patients with improvements in physical conditions and functions. Patients' communication needs were diverse, encompassing physical, psycho-emotional, social, spiritual, and medical issues. Interventions tested included alternative and augmentative communication strategies, communication intervention packages, and voice restorative devices. Physical, psychosocial, and communication-related patient outcomes were evaluated using various methods including self-report surveys, interviews, and observations. Conclusions : The findings from this review represent the state of science regarding communication of the critically ill whose vocal abilities are inhibited by the presence of an artificial airway. Future studies with rigorous experimental designs and measures are warranted to better understand and support the complex needs of this highly vulnerable patient population.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.275-294
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to develop an evidence-based extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) nursing protocol for critically ill patients receiving ECMO treatment by using an adaptation process, and to verify the effects of the protocol. Methods: The protocol was developed according to the adaptation guidelines. A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted to test the protocol's effects. Data were collected between April 2019 and March 2021. The differences in physiological indicators and complication rates between the two groups were investigated using a chart review to evaluate patient outcomes. The nurses' outcome variables were evaluated using a questionnaire. Results: First, after reviewing 11 guidelines by appraisal of the guidelines for research and evaluation collaboration II, 5 guidelines with a standardization grade of over 50 points were selected. An ECMO nursing protocol was developed based on these guidelines. Second, there were no statistically significant differences in physiological indicators between the two groups of patients. However, the experimental group showed a statistically significant decrease in the infection rate (p = .026) and pressure injury rates (p = .041). The levels of satisfaction with ECMO nursing care, and empowerment and performance of the nurses who used the ECMO nursing protocol were higher than those of nurses who did not (p < .001). Conclusion: This protocol may help prevent infections and pressure injuries in patients, and improve nurses' satisfaction and empowerment. The nursing protocol developed for critically ill patients receiving ECMO treatment can be utilized in evidence-based nursing practice.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.384-396
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the approaches, methods and questions asked in intensive care unit studies published in Korean journals and the American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC) from 1992 to 2011. Only quantitative studies were reviewed. Methods: A total of 144 studies published in four Korean Journals and 521 studies published in American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC) were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The most frequently used research design reported in Korean journals were surveys (83.5%), protocol development (10.1%), and randomized controlled trials (6.2%). In AJCC, the most frequently reported design was survey research (90.4%) and randomized controlled trials (16.1%). The most frequent nursing intervention reported in the AJCC was tube care (10.8%), and in Korean journals the intervention of suctioning (10.8%). In Korea, nurses were more likely to study instrument measurements (31.0%) and positioning (13.5%). In reported studies in the AJCC there were more reports on emotional support, exercise, and measurement research. Conclusion: There is overlap in the type of studies between the two countries in term of study design, whereas the types of nursing problems studied differed in United States and Korea. The result suggests that there were gaps and those more diverse studies and physiological measurements are needed.