• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.73-80
• /
• 2011

Questionnaires were distributed to Radiology departments at hospitals with 300 sickbeds throughout the Pohang region of North Gyeongsang Province concerning awareness and performance levels of infection control. The investigation included measurements of the pollution levels of imaging equipment and assistive apparatuses in order to prepare a plan for the activation of prevention and management of hospital infections. The survey was designed to question respondents in regards to personal data, infection management prevention education, and infection management guidelines. The ATP Public Heath Monitering System was used to measure seven items for pollution levels of imaging equipment and assistive apparatuses in the Radiology Department. Data was analysed using SPSS version 12.0 for paired t-test and Pearson coefficient with a statistically significant level of 0.05. The results of the survey showed a total awareness level of infection management prevention education averaged at $3.73{\pm}0.64$ and performance levels resulted at $3.39{\pm}0.83$ which were statistically significant (p = 0.01). Also the measurements of pollution levels for equipment with high patient contact showed a Pearson Coefficient of over 0.5 implying a focus on pathogenic bacterium. There was no statistical significance with the frequency of imaging (p < 0.05). Therefore for general hospitals with high patient contact, there is a need to supply analyzing equipment for real time monitoring and the implementation of disinfection management that uses a Ministry of Health and Welfare approved antiseptic solution twice every minute.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.255-265
• /
• 2016

Objectives: Mobile phones have become one of the most essential accessories in daily life. However, they may act as reservoir of infectious pathogens if they are used without hygienic practices in their handling. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate food-borne pathogens from mobile phones and investigate the characteristics of toxin genes and antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Methods: A total of 146 mobile phones were collected from 83 middle- and 63 high-school students in Busan. The surfaces of the mobile phones were aseptically swabbed. Results: Among the food-borne pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli were detected in 26 (17.8%), 20 (13.7%) and four (2.7%) samples, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences according to school level, gender or phone type. None of four E. coli strains had pathogenic toxic genes. All of the B. cereus strains carried at least three different toxin genes among the nine enterotoxin and emetic toxin genes. Three out of 20 B. cereus strains (15%) possessed emetic toxin genes, which are rarely detected in food-poisoning cases in Korea. Among the 26 strains of S. aureus, the detection rate of staphylococcal enterotoxin genes, toxic shock syndrome toxin (tsst) and factors essential for methicillin resistance (femA) were 84.6%, 7.7% and 100%, respectively. In the antibiotic susceptibility test, there was no methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) or vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA). Conclusion: The results show that students' mobile phones in Busan were contaminated by food-borne pathogens which carried various toxic genes. Therefore, regular phone disinfection and hand hygiene is important in order to reduce cross-contamination.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.599-609
• /
• 2020

Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has rapidly become a global pandemic with over 26.4 million confirmed cases and approximately 871,000 fatalities worldwide as of this writing. In the Republic of Korea, disease clusters frequently occurred in long-term care hospitals where the majority of residents are elderly with underlying medical conditions. Despite the fact that public health authorities and local community health centers have put tremendous efforts into preventing the spread of disease, positive cases have continued to occur. Thus, the Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention rapid response team decided to conduct an environmental investigation of a long-term care hospital to identify whether environmental contamination has remained and contributed to the spread of COVID-19. Methods: An environmental investigation was conducted at Hospital A. The characteristics of the facility and its HVAC system were assessed by checking the layout and interviewing the people in charge. A total of 64 surface samples were collected from areas of concern, including patient rooms, toilets, elevators, and nurses' station. These samples were tested by a regional health and environmental research institute using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: All samples from Hospital A were confirmed to be negative. Through interviews with high-level personnel at the regional community health center, we found that extensive disinfection is frequently performed on potentially contaminated areas in Hospital A in accordance with government guidelines. Conclusion: The environmental control measures implemented in Hospital A had been sufficient for mitigating the risk of further infection, suggesting that such measures may also be effective for other long-term health care facilities.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2012

Down Stream K River has high COD (4-10 mg/L) and high $NH_3$-N concentration (3.5 mg/L during winter period). Although $NH_3$-N itself is not reported harmful at this level, it must be removed to meet drinking water standard (0.5 mg/L). We constructed a pilot plant modifying the processes of conventional drinking water facilities. Prechlorination and powdered activated carbon (PAC) dechlorination was adopted prior to a flocculation tank to remove ammonia and prevent disinfection byproducts (DBPs) formation. Also, GAC processes was included after sand filter to remove residual DOC. This pilot having a capacity of 36 ton/day was operated for one year. The GAC processes were successful to remove ammonia and many organic pollutants (DOC, MBAS, UV-254 nm absorbance, etc). Influent DOC concentrations were very high as 3~6 mg/L throughout the plant operation. It was impossible to achieve 1.0 mg/L effluent DOC, indicating that bed depth (2 m) should be increased to achieve more strict DOC quality standards. When $Cl_2$ dose was well controlled ($Cl_2/NH_3$-N ratio 10~11 on a weight basis), $NH_3$-N removal was 98% and THMs was very low possibly due to low free residual chlorine and PAC dechlorination.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.207-224
• /
• 1998

The purposes of this study were to identify nurse's recognition and performance and to represent the factors of hindrance in the IV therapy management. The subjects were 420 nurses who worked at five general hospitals in Pusan. Tha data were collected using a questionnaire and the period of data collection was from January 1 to January 31, 1998. The instrument for this study was made by author oneself on the basis of guidelines Simmons et al', CDC' Stanley' and Kurdi' guideline, Cllinical Nurse's Association' that consist of 68 items for 5 fields ; pre-injection, just before-injection, needle-injection, during injection, post-injection field. Cron-bach Alpha coefficient of recognition and performance in the IV therapy management was .93 and .87. The datas were analized by a SPSS program using frequency, percent, paired t-test, t-test and oneway ANOVA. The results obtained were as follows : 1. The mean score of recognition in IV therapy management was significantly higher than that of performance(t=5.86, P<.001). 2. The items of lower than mean score of each fields in performance were the identification of drugs, hands washing, patient teaching about medication, disinfectional methods of the injection site and the rubber stopper in bottle, the use of disposable gloves, mask and eye goggles at the chemotherapy preparation, use of tape and armboard, changing the IV tubing, labeling the dressing over the injection site, observation and recordings of patient's condition after medication and confirmation of the needle length at the needle removal. 3. The factors of hindrance in IV therapy were 'having no time', 'insufficiency of goods', 'unknowing of methods', 'no disadvantage', and 'factors of doctor's doing'. The most important factor was 'have no time', especially item of hands washing. The other factors of hindrance showed high frequency in the following items ; 'insufficiency of goods' in the use of disposable gloves, mask and eye goggles at the chemotherapy preparation, 'unknowing of methods' in the certification of drugs compatibility, 'no disadvantage' in the labeling the dressing over the injection site, and 'factors of doctor's doing' in the changing the subclavian catheter dressing and checking the glucose level during the TPN infusion. In conclusion, there is necessity of educational program which can improve the nurse's knowledge of drugs, disinfection methods, comfort of patient and recordings in IV therapy management and alternative plan which are political and financial aids such as setting up the sink, giving of paper towels and necessary goods in the IV therapy for reducing the factors of hindrance for IV therapy management.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.15-20
• /
• 2002

The Hydroxyethyl methacrylate(HEMA) was developped in 1960's and later the use of contact lenses increased. At present more and more people use RGP contact lenses. Due to the wide range of optical corrections available and due to their high oxygen transmission Japanese and Korean people like them. Nevertheless one of nine CL users(beginners) stopped wearing the CL within the first year. We conducted a survey to evaluate the level of patient compliance in lens care and maintenance and to assess practitioner knowledge of contact lens information. Generally 6% of contact lens wearers drop out per year. The aim of this research was to find out what opticians can do to reduce the drop-out rate by getting information on handling, on general data of the patient and on optical prescription. Lens wearer were asked to complete a 10 question survey that focused on lens care-wear modality, lens replacement, storage, symptoms and case disinfection. There were total 180 participants in the study. Most of contact lens wearers have an inadequate understanding of contact lens care system. Therefore, it is important that contact lens specialists place more emphasis on practitioner education about general contact lens fields and reinforce patient education during the dispensing visit.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.659-665
• /
• 2015

A wide variety of methods have been used to control Dental Unit Waterline (DUWL) contamination. Among the methods, flushing is mainly used because it is simple and easy to use. Generally, flushing of DUWL for 20 or 30 sec before using high speed handpieces or scalers is recommended. However, the appropriateness of flushing time was not investigated thoroughly. The purpose of this study was to check the effective time of flushing for decreasing bacterial contamination. Seven dental unit chairs were randomly selected in student clinical simulation laboratory for this experiment. DUWLs were continuously flushed and water samples were collected at an interval of 30 seconds for 15 minutes. From five dental unit chairs, water samples were collected every 10 seconds for 1 minute. Bacterial levels in water samples were examined by the culture method on R2A plates. After 10 second flushing of DUWLs, the number of bacteria significantly reduced and decreased continuously up to 40 seconds. However, even after the water was flushed for 15 minutes, the bacterial contamination level was not reduced below recommended bacteria level, 200 CFU/ml. In addition to flushing, the periodic chemical disinfection is required to control the DUWL water to the recommended level.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.400-406
• /
• 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microbial contamination level of Korean traditional rice cakes (Garaetteok, Injeolmi, Gyeongdan), as well as manufacturing environment of small-sized businesses in Korea. The contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and Bacillus cereus in raw materials were 3.76-4.48, 2.21-4.14, and 1.02-1.15 log CFU/g respectively. On the other hand, Escherichia coli was not found. It has been found that the contamination level of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and B. cereus in the raw material decreased after the washing process, but it increased again during the soaking and grinding process. However, after the steaming stage, the contamination level increased again during the molding and cooling process, suggesting the need to take cautions in managing cooling water and molded rice cakes in the process. These results suggest that the safe management of cooling water and taking cautions in the drying process after steaming of rice cakes are necessary for controlling cross-contamination. No E. coli was detected during the manufacturing process involving all tested rice cakes. The microbial contamination level of manufacturing environment such as rice grinder and rice cake forming machine was high. Therefore, in terms of food safety strategy, it is necessary to consider introducing systematic cleansing and disinfection procedure to processing equipment and environment for the sake of reducing microbiological risks.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.97-113
• /
• 2014

An actual proof experiment was carried out to establish the production of high quality organic rice at farm household in Gwangjin, Junnam, Korea 2011. Experimental plot was designed with conventional organic cultivation and manual organic cultivation in both Hopeongbyeo and Onnuri varities. Experimental field was consisted with suitable drainage loam soil, anryong series, and normal paddy field. Chemical characteristics of the soil were investigated from initial soil and soil after harvest in experimental sites. Seed disinfection was treated with hot water dipping method at $60^{\circ}C$ for 10 min. Rice transplanting was carried out at 17 June with 25 days seedling using machine transplanting. Golden apple snail was used to prevent weed growth as middle size (1.5~1.7 kg/10a) at one week after rice transplanting. Amount of applied fertilizer in experimental plot was supplied with organic fertilizer for the shortage after harvest of hairy vetch (1,100 kg/10a). Bordeaux mixture was used to control of sheath blight and neck blast disease in all experimental plot at 19 Aug. Application of chitin culture solution was treated in manual organic cultivation at 2 and 15 Aug. At late growth stage, incidence rate of neck blast was the highest level at Hopyeongbyeo in conventional organic cultivation. Incidence rate of sheath blight in both Hopyeongbyeo and Onnuri was higher in conventional organic cultivation than in manual organic cultivation. Incidence of rice leaf folder was the highest level at Onnuri in conventional organic cultivation. Yield index in manual organic cultivation was increased by 13% and 38% at Onnuri and Hopyeongbyeo, respectively, compared with conventional organic cultivation. Head rice percentage in both Hopyeongbyeo and Onnuri was slightly increased in manual organic cultivation. These results indicate that high quality production of rice organic cultivation could be depending on management of safe fertilization with nutrient content in soil.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.1-34
• /
• 1974

These experiments pertain to various factors influencing the quantitative characters of cocoon crops in summer and early autumn seasons. Initially, in order to establish the possible ways of the silkworm rearing more than three times a year in Korea, the author attempted to get further information about the various factors affecting the cocoon crop in every silkworm rearing season. The trials were conducted eleven times a year at four places for three years. The field trial was conducted with 19 typical sericultural farmers who had been surveyed. At the same time the author statistically analyzed the various factors in close relation to tile cocoon crop in autumn season. The effect of guidance on 40 sericultural farmers was analyzed, comparing higher level farmers with lower level farmers ; and the author surveyed 758 non-guided farmers near the guided farmers during both spring and autumn seasons. In addition, another trial on the seasonal change of leaf quality was attempted with artificial diets prepared with leaves grown in each season. It was found that related factors to cocoon crops in summer and early autumn seasons appeared to be leaf quality, and temperature for young and grown larvae. A 2$^4$ factorial experiment was designed in summer season, and another design with one more level of varied temperature or hard leaf added to a 24 factorial experiment was conducted in early autumn. The experimental results can be summarized： 1. Study on the cocoon crops in the different rearing seasons 1) It was shown that earlier brushing of silkworm generally produced the most abundant cocoon crop in spring season, and earlier or later than the conventional brushing season, especially earlier brushing was unfavorable for the abundant cocoon crop in autumn season. 2) The cocoon crop was affected by the rearing season, and decreases in order of sire with spring, autumn, late autumn, summer and early autumn seasons. 3) It was Proved that ordinary rearing and branch rearing were possibles 4 times a year ; in the 1st, 3rd, 8th, and 10th brushing season. But the 11th brushing season was more favorable for the most abundant cocoon crop of branch rearing, instead of the 10th brushing season with ordinary rearing. 2. Study on the main factors affecting the cocoon crop in autumn season 1) Accumulated pathogens were a lethal factor leading to a bad cocoon crop through neglect of disinfection of rearing room and instruments. 2) Additional factors leading to a poor cocoon crop were unfavorable for rearing temperature and humidity, dense population, poor choice of moderately ripened leaf, and poor feeding techniques. However, it seemed that there was no relationship between the cocoon crop and management of farm. 3) The percentage of cocoon shell seemed to be mostly affected by leaf quality, and secondarily affected by the accumulation of pathogens. 3. Study on the effect of guidance on rearing techniques 1) The guided farms produced an average yearly yield of 29.0kg of cocoons, which varied from 32.3kg to 25.817g of cocoon yield per box in spring versus autumn, respectively. Those figures indicated an annual average increase of 26% of cocoon yield over yields of non-guided farmers. An increase of 20% of cocoon yield in spring and 35% of cocoon yield in autumn were responsible. 2) On guided farms 77.1 and 83.7% of total cocoon yields in the spring and autumn seasons, respectively, exceeded 3rd grade. This amounted to increases of 14.1 and 11.3% in cocoon yield and quality over those of non-guided farms. 3) The average annual cocoon yield on guided farms was 28.9kg per box, based on a range of 31.2kg to 26.9kg per box in spring and autumn seasons, respectively. This represented an 8% increase in cocoon yield on farms one year after guidance, as opposed to non-guided farms. This yield increase was due to 3 and 16% cocoon yield increases in spring and autumn crops. 4) Guidance had no effect on higher level farms, but was responsible for 19% of the increases in production on lower level farms. 4. Study on the seasonal change of leaf quality 1) In tests with grown larvae, leaves of tile spring crop incorporated in artificial diets produced the best cocoon crop; followed by leaves of the late autumn, summer, autumn, and early autumn crops. 2) The cocoon crop for young larvae as well as for grown larvae varied with the season of leaf used. 5. Study on factors affecting the cocoon crops in summer and early autumn A. Early autumn season 1) Survival rate and cocoon yield were significantly decreased at high rearing temperatures for young larvae 2) Survival rate, cocoon yield, and cocoon quality were adversely affected by high rearing temperatures for grown larvae. Therefore increases of cocoon quantity and improvement of cocoon quality are dependent on maintaining optimum temperatures. 3) Decreases in individual cocoon weight and longer larval periods resulted with feeding of soft leaf and hard leaf to young larvae, but the survival rate, cocoon yield and weight of cocoon shell were not influenced. 4) Cocoon yield and cocoon quality were influenced by feeding of hard leaf to grown larvae, but survival rate was not influenced by the feeding of soft leaf and hard leaf. 5) When grown larvae were inevitably raised at varied temperatures, application of varied temperature in the raising of both young and grown larvae was desirable. Further research concerning this matter must be considered. B. Summer season 1) Cocoon yield and single cocoon weight were decreased at high temperatures for young larvae and survival rate was also affected. 2) Cocoon yield, survival rate. and cocoon quality were considerably decreased at high rearing temperatures for grown larval stages.