• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.225-235
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• 2010

This study was aimed to assess the status of working environment, health care management status and cause of exposure in manufactories using dimethylformamide (DMF). For the purpose, airborne concentration of DMF in the workplaces and N-methylformamide (NMF) in worker's urine were measured with job type and process. In addition, management of local exhaust ventilation system (LEV) and personal protective equipment (PPE) was evaluated at 35 work places (107 workers) located in Busan and Gimhae area. Mean DMF concentrations in work places by job type and process were of high level measured in printing and record media reproduction (5.23 ppm) and flaking process (2.48 ppm). Workers in adhesive job were measured a large amount of urine NMF (21.59 mg/${\ell}$). 98.1% of DMF handling workers were provided respirators, but 67.3% of those workers used them. The main reasons for not using respirators were inconvenience and difficulty of breathing. Airborne concentrations of DMF were higher in the workplaces in which LEVs were working abnormally, but there was not statistically significant. In addition, the urine NMF levels were correlated with management of LEV within the workers who did not use the respirators (p<0.048). These results implied that LEV should be installed and maintained properly to protect the workers from the exposure to DMF. Management of PPE should be also necessary to protect the workers from chemical hazards.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.360-369
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• 2020

This study examined and compared the droplet infection prevention activity and cough etiquette knowledge among nursing hospital workers. Data were collected from March 4 to 29, 2019, through personal interviews using a questionnaire in 177 nursing hospital workers (health care provider: n=61, non-health care provider: n=116). The data were analyzed using a x²-test, Fisher's exact test, independent t-test, and ANOVA. The general characteristics were statistically significant between the two groups in terms of sex and age. The prevention activities of droplet infection showed statistically significant differences between the two groups in usually carrying a tissue, usually carrying a handkerchief, usually carrying a mask, carrying a handkerchief at respiratory symptoms, hand washing frequency, and cough etiquette compliance. Knowledge of cough etiquette showed significant differences between the two groups. The knowledge of cough etiquette, according to the non-health provider's prevention activities of droplet infection, was statistically significant in usually carrying a mask and cough etiquette education. Therefore, it is necessary to raise the knowledge about cough etiquette and develop strategies for habitual cough etiquette for each nursing hospital worker.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.7-18
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to help care workers to do their best as first respondents by analysing their recognition, knowledge, and self-efficacy on basic CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) that is directly connected to the lives of patients and thus their education and methods can be improved for their positive basic lifesaving work. Method: For this purpose 360 structured questionnaires were used to the subjects in the eastern area of Jeonnam province from June 20 to July 4, 2011. Of these questionnaires 217 were used excluding 113 incomplete, 27 error, and 3 male ones. The collected data were analysed by the real number, the percentage, the average, the standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, and Tukey with SPSS WIN 18.0. Results: 1. In the view of subjects, those aged over 51 accounted for 96(44.2%) as the majority, high school graduates, 95(43.8%), worked for 1 or more than 1 year-less than 2 years, 66(30.4%), experienced to see persons collapsed losing their consciousness, 46(21.2%), took the education, 184(85.7%), had 1 session of education, 80(43%), got the last education for 2 or more than 2 years 68(37%), and practiced through mannequin for the education aids, 86(46.7%). 2. There was significant difference in the view of recognition with the length of work (p=.010) and experienced to see persons collapsed losing their consciousness (p=.020), in the view of knowledge with academic background (p=.040) and the length of work, and in the view of self-efficacy with academic background (p=.002), the length of work (p=.010) and experienced to see persons collapsed losing their consciousness (p=.000). 3. There was significant difference in the session of education (p=.000), last education (p=.025) and education aids for basic CPR. Self-efficacy had significant difference according to the session of education for basic CPR (p=.001) and the time of education (p=.000). 4. There was correlation between recognition and self-efficacy (r=.41). The higher the recognition is, the better the self-efficacy improves. However the correlation between knowledge and self-efficacy was so low that the former did not have influence on self-efficacy. Conclusions: It needs to offer education to the lifesaving workers based on their experiences. If there is education more than 2 sessions in a year with mannequin and the simulation providing sufficient hours, care workers' recognition would be increased resulting in higher self-efficacy and thus they could keep the role of active lifesaving worker at the first practical site.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.329-337
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to explore the standards and directions of professional competency and proficiency of social workers in Korea through a review of British cases. In particular, in the face of a super-aged society, this study aimed to improve the proficiency of social workers in the field of elderly welfare in Korea by examining the complacency and proficiency standards of the British Association of Social Workers and the Health Care Professionals Council related to the care of the elderly. With the structure of a Professional Capabilities Framework, the UK promotes the acquisition of competency-based qualifications by specifically presenting the competency of social workers at each stage of qualification. In addition, general and detailed standards of proficiency of social workers in the care field are presented at each qualification stage. In order to improve the competence and proficiency of Korean social workers through a case study in the UK, this study presented the need for a standard that connects "common competencies, professional competencies, and proficiency of social welfare professionals." This study also suggested the necessity of the role of Social Welfare Education Association and Association of Social Workers for this purpose

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.138-155
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• 2000

Background: Factors related to waiting and staying time for patient care in emergency care center (ECC) were examined during 1 month from Apr. 1 to Apr. 30, 1997 at an ECC of Yeungnam university hospital in Taegu metropolitan city, to obtain the baseline data on the strategy of effective management of emergency patients. Method: The study subjects consisted of the 1,742 patients who visited at ECC and the data were obtained from the medical records of ECC and direct surveys. Results: The mean interval between ECC admission time and initial care time by each ECC duty residents was 83.1 minutes for male patients and 84.9 minutes for female patients, and mean ECC staying time (time interval between admission and final disposition from ECC) was 718.0 minutes in men and 670.5 minutes in women. As the results, the mean staying time in ECC was higher in older age, and especially the both of initial care time and staying time were highest in patients of medical aid, and shortest in patients of worker's accident compensation insurance. The on admission or not, previously endotracheal-intubation state of patient. The ECC staying ti initial care time was much more delayed in patients of not having previous medical records and the ECC staying time was higher in referred patients from out-patient department, in transferred patients from the other hospitals and patients having previous records, and in patients partly used the order-communicating system. The factors associated with the initial care time were the numbers of ECC patients and the existence of any true emergent patients, being cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) statusme was much more longer in patients of drug intoxication, in CPR patients, in medical department patients, in transfused patients and in patients related to 3 or more departments. And according to the numbers of duty internships, the ECC staying time for four internships was more longer than for five internships and after admission ordering was done, also-more longer in status being of no available beds. As above mentioned results, the factors for the ECC staying time were thought to be statistically significant (P<0.01) according to the patient's age and the laboratory orders and the X-ray films checked. And also the factor for the ECC staying time were thought to be statistically significant (P<0.01) according to the status being of no available beds, the laboratory orders and/or the special laboratory orders, the X-ray films checked, final disposing department, transferred to other hospital or not, home medication or not, admission or not, the grades of beds, the year grades of residents, the causes of ECC visit, the being CPR status on admission or not, the surgical operation or not, being known personells in our hospital. Conclution: Authors concluded that the relieving method of long-staying time in ECC was being establishing the legally proved apparatus which could differentiate the true emergency or non-emergency patients, and that the methods of shortening ECC staying time were doing definitely necessary laboratory orders and managing beds more flexibly to admit for ECC patients and finally this methods were thought to be a method of unloading for ECC personnels and improving the quality of care in emergency patients.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2001

This study was aimed to survey the level of service education in the people engaging in medical services and identify the influence of the education on their job performance. This study was conducted from February 10th, 2000 to March 10th, 2000, centering on Seoul and Kyonggi area. A total of 341 questionnaires were distributed for the survey. The result ware as followings: (1) In a question about the satisfaction over general medical services such as the location of medical institutions, medical equipments and devices, and the attitudes of medical personnel, the group with service education marked 4.07 while the group with no education earned 3.97, showing statistically significant difference(p<.05). (2) In the area of medical institutions image, level of medical services and promotion, the group with service education showed 4.01 while the group with no education gained 3.83, also showing statistically significant difference(p<.05). (3) No statistically meaningful difference was revealed in the area of satisfaction for over all medical services such as the contentment about the medical services being provided, rooms for improvement and the adequacy of the number of medical personnel. The group with education acquired 3.32, with the group with no education 3.34. (4) Satisfaction about the education and awareness about medical services were high in the group of dental hygienists and showed a statistically meaningful difference. (5) The average number of education recorded 1.83 and satisfaction over service education inside the hospital was low, registering 3.24. (6) Teamwork among the personnel in the hospital was 3.70, which is relatively high. The fulfillment over given tasks posted 3.56 and the recommendation for medical institutions was low, recording 3.24. (7) The necessity of medical service education for medical personnel gained 4.40, indicating heightened awareness over the need for service education.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.118-124
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• 2020

Background: The poultry industry in Pakistan has flourished since the 1960s; however, there are scarce data regarding the impact of occupational exposure on the pulmonary health of farm workers in terms of years working in the industry. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of poultry environment on the health of occupationally exposed poultry farmers in countries of warm climatic regions, such as Pakistan. This study will also show the effect of exposure to poultry facilities on the health of poultry farmers in the context of low-income countries with a relatively inadequate occupational exposure risk management. Materials and methods: The lung function capacity of 79 poultry workers was measured using a spirometer. Along with spirometry, a structured questionnaire was also administrated to obtain information about age, height, weight, smokers/nonsmokers, years of working experience, and pulmonary health of farm workers. The workers who were directly involved in the care and handling of birds in these intensive facilities were considered and divided into four groups based on their years of working experience: Group I (3-10 months), Group II (1-5 years), Group III (6-10 years), and Group IV (more than 11 years). The forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and the FEV1/FVC ratio were considered to identify lung function abnormalities. Statistical analysis was carried out using independent sample t test, Chi-square test, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression. Results: Based on the performed spirometry, 68 (86 %) of workers were found normal and healthy, whereas 11 (14 %) had a mild obstruction. Of the 11 workers with mild obstruction, the highest number with respect to the total was in Group IV (more than 11 years of working experience) followed by Group III and Group II. Most of the workers were found healthy, which seems to be because of the healthy survivor effect. For the independent sample t test, a significant difference was noticed between healthy and nonhealthy farmers, whereas Chi-square test showed a significant association with height, drugs, and working experience. Linear regression that was stratified by respiratory symptoms showed for workers with symptoms, regression models for all spirometric parameters (FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC) have better predictive power or R square value than those of workers without symptoms. Conclusion: These findings suggest that lung function capacity was directly related to years of working experience. With increasing number of working years, symptoms of various respiratory problems enhanced in the poultry workers. It should be noted that most of the poultry workers were healthy and young, the rationale being that there is a high turnover rate in this profession. The mobility in this job and our finding of 86% of the healthy workers in the present study also proposed healthy worker survivor effect.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2010

Purpose: The survey was aimed to provide basic data to develop a certification system for hospice and palliative care professionals. Methods: National Cancer Center (NCC) and the Korean Society for Hospice & Palliative Care (KSHPC) conducted the survey for hospice and palliative care professionals who worked at 34 Palliative care units designated by the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Family Affairs (MW) and the members of the KSHPC. The survey was conducted via e-mail from June 17 to 23, 2009. Total 220 professionals were surveyed. Results: Most of the hospice and palliative care professionals reported a great need for certification system: Physician, 90% (n=51) nurse, 84% (n=134) social worker, 89% (n=35). In regard with the requirement for the certification, a majority of physicians (46%) preferreddiploma course, while social workers (46%) preferred training course for medical social workers. Concerning the certification body, physician (45%) preferred the KSHPC and the MW almost equally, while nurses (50%) and social workers (60%) preferred the MW highly. As for the body to develop and accredit advance training course for each professionals, most of the physicians (51%) preferred the KSHPC, whereas nurses and social workers preferred collaboration of the MW (or NCC) with the professional society, such as the KSHPC (23%), the Korean Hospice & Palliative nurses association for nurses (21%), or the Korean association of (medical) social workers (37%). Lastly, all respondents preferred the course format of once a week, full day, and some field study at weekend. Conclusion: Korean hospice and palliative care professionals identified the great need for the certification system, therefore, the adequate system development must be followed to reflect their voice.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.324-334
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• 1998

Background : Strategic planning is an organizationwide or systemwide, ongoing look into the future usually of 2~3 years, based on objective analysis of the current environment and trends, but it can incorporate both short-term and long-term goals. The strategic planning process includes external analysis, internal analysis, issue analysis, development of mission, vision and values, and lastly development of organizational goals and objectives. As a part of the strategic quality planning process, certain service lines, important organizationwide functions, or key processes supporting these functions can be prioritized to expedite and roll out certain strategic goals. This is called strategic quality initiatives. Methods : We organized a quality improvement team, a subgroup of 21st century vision planning corps of our medical center, and pursued QI activities for improvement of healthcare environment, particularly in the admission setting. We developed a strategic quality initiative based on the results of patient satisfaction surveys, and carried out functions of self-directed work team. Results : The strategic goal was to be the benchmark for peer group hospitals in Korea for providing cost-effective best-practice. The QI team included 3 medical doctors, 1 nurse, 1 social worker, and 1 QI consultant as well as many operational members to support services and quality initiatives met every Tuesday for 18 weeks. Outcome objectives were to improve patient satisfaction score. The issues included in the objectives were comfort, temperature, noise, cleanliness of the admission wards, quality and education of patient meals, matters regarding the admission process, and an appurtenant facility such as restaurant or convenience store. Every issue was discussed and recommendations, conclusions and opportunities were implemented. Conclusions : By developing a strategic quality initiative as a part of the strategic quality planning process, and pursuing a self-directed work team, certain sen/ice lines, important organizationwide functions, or key processes supporting these functions can be improved effectively within a short period. Strategic quality initiatives serve to support, or roll out, certain strategic goals that are relevant to performance improvement and development of specific measurable outcome objectives, and associated performance measure for each initiative. Each strategic quality initiative should include a statement of intent outcome objectives, and performance measures. We will come back with follow up of the strategic quality initiative, for improvement of healthcare environment, and results of patient satisfaction re-survey.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.231-241
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• 2020

This study was conducted from April 2020 to June of the same year to identify the working skills, quality of life and depression on occupational therapists working at medical institutions in Gwangju, Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do. Each function was evaluated using the WAI(Work Ability Index), the Korean version of WHOQOL and PHQ-9(Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Korean version) to evaluate the working ability, quality of life and depression level of depression. Studies have shown mo statistically significant differences in all areas of work capability, quality of life, or depression, depending on general characteristics. The correlation between work tretment worker's work ability, quality of life and depression showed a positive correlation between work ability and quality of life and a strong nehative correlation between quality of life and depression. This is a tesult of improved working ability, which improves the quality of life and lowers the level of depression if there is a positive change in the quality of life. It is hoped that research will be conducted considering the work ability and quality of life of occupational therapists who play an important role in rehabilitation and ways to reduce depression.