• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of nurses staffing level on patient health outcomes in intensive care units (ICUs) in Korea. Methods: The study was retrospective in nature. Information on patients and their outcomes, as well as nurse cohort data, were obtained from Korea's National Health Insurance Service Database. The observation period was from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2018, and data for 2,964,991 patients were analyzed. Independent variables included patient' age and sex and hospital type, intensivist, and nurses staffing level. Results: The mortality rate in ICUs was significantly higher at tertiary hospitals with a level 3~4 (HR, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.19~1.22) or level 5~9 nurse staffing (HR, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.27~1.34) compare to that of tertiary hospitals with a 1~2 level. 28-day mortality rate was also higher at general hospitals with a level 3~4 (HR, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.12~1.14), level 5~6 (HR. 1.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.32~1.36), level 7~9 nurse staffing (HR, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.38~1.42), using level 1~2 as reference. Conclusion: Nurses staffing level is a key determinant of healthcare-associated mortality in critically ICUs patients. Policies to achieve adequate nurse staffing levels are therefore required to enhance patient outcomes.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.95-107
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a tailored simulation learning (SL) program and to evaluate the effects of the program on the clinical competency, clinical decision-making competency, and communicative competency of new nursing staffs in intensive care units (ICU) and emergency rooms (ER). Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, fifteen nurses were assigned to the experimental group and fifteen to the control group. The experimental group was given the SL program of four sessions, whereas the lectures of four sessions were given to the control group. Data were analyzed using a $x^2$-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test with an SPSS program. Analysis of covariance was used to treat the covariate of pre communicative competency between the experimental and control groups. Results: Based on the education needs of new nursing staffs in ICUs and ERs, three learning scenarios and one evaluating scenario were developed for the SL program. The score for clinical competency, clinical decision-making competency, and communicative competency were significantly higher in the experimental group compared with the control group. Conclusion: The SL program is an effective learning strategy for new nursing staffs in ICUs and ERs. These findings suggest that an SL program be offered as an alternative for new nurse orientation and continuing nurse education.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.384-394
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• 2014

Purpose: To improve professional intensive care by analyzing admission causes, causes of death, disease conditions, and treatment processes in patients with hematological malignancies admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) in South Korea. Methods: This was a retrospective study approved by IRB, and conducted on admission with 559 adults, in the hematology ICU of a hospital located in Seoul. The study was carried out from April 2009 to March 2012. Data were analyzed using SAS. Results: Pneumonia was the most frequent cause of ICU admission and death, followed by sepsis. The condition at discharge was death (53.6%), recovery (39.9%), or hopeless (5.1%). Mortality of patients in states of incomplete remission was higher than that of patients with complete remission and of patients with multiple myeloma, severe aplastic anemia, and lymphoma. Conclusion: Results show that pneumonia and sepsis are the most frequent causes of ICU admission and for the death of patients with hematological malignancies. The most frequent status at discharge of patients with hematological malignancies was death (53.6%), with mortality of patients at Incomplete Remission status, of mechanically ventilated patients, and of patients on continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) being higher than others.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.50-63
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• 2022

Purpose : This study aimed to identify intensive care units (ICU) nurses' experience of traumatic events, deliberate rumination, self-disclosure, social support, and post-traumatic growth (PTG), and to explore relationships among the variables. Methods : Participants were 157 nurses who have provided direct patient care for six months or more in ICUs at a university hospital. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVAs, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regressions using the SPSS/WIN version 23.0. Results : The PTG was found to be significantly associated with deliberate rumination (r=0.36, p<.001), self-disclosure (r=0.39, p<.001), and social support (r=0.54, p<.001). Factors that affect PTG significantly were found in the order of social support (𝛽=0.40, p<.001), self-disclosure (𝛽=0.25, p<.001), and deliberate rumination (𝛽=0.24, p<.001). The final regression model explained 40.1% of the variance of PTG (F=26.33, p<.001). Conclusion : The influencing factors identified in this study on PTG, including social support, self-disclosure, and deliberate rumination should be included in programs to promote PTG for ICU nurses who may experience traumatic events repeatedly.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.352-361
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the communication experience of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in the workplace. Methods: The present study utilized a qualitative approach using focus group interview method. A total of three focus groups of 15 ICU nurses from two university hospitals were formed. The conversations during the focus group interviews were recorded and analyzed through Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Results: As a result of analyzing participants' conversation, Five theme clusters were elicited, namely, "one-way communication", "differences in the position of senior and junior nurses", "communication crisis", "beginning of understanding", and "movement toward change" out of 15 themes and 138 significant sentences. Conclusion: ICU nurses report having experienced communication crisis because of the one-way communication of the ICU nursing environment and the hierarchical differences in junior and senior nurses' position. Systematic education and continuous training on communication skills need to be provided to improve interpersonal relationship among nurses and work environment in the ICUs.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.287-295
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) colonization rate in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), associated risk factors and clinical outcomes for VRE colonization. Methods: Of the 7,703 patients admitted to the ICUs between January, 2008 and December, 2010, medical records of 554 VRE colonized and 503 uncolonized patients were reviewed retrospectively. To analyzed the impact of colonization on patients' clinical outcomes, 199 VRE colonized patients were matched with 199 uncolonized patients using a propensity score matching method. Results: During the study period, 567 (7.2%) of the 7,703 patients were colonized with VRE. Multivariate analysis identified the following independent risk factors for VRE colonization: use of antibiotics (odds ratio [OR]=3.33), having bedsores (OR=2.92), having invasive devices (OR=2.29), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus co-colonization (OR=1.84), and previous hospitalization (OR=1.74). VRE colonized patients were more likely to have infectious diseases than uncolonized patients. VRE colonization was associated with prolonged hospitalization and higher mortality. Conclusion: Strict infection control program including preemptive isolation for high-risk group may be helpful. Further research needs to be done to investigate the effects of active surveillance program on the incidence of colonization or infection with VRE in the ICU.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.268-276
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors which influence the management of MultiDrug -Resistant Organisms (MDROs) by nurses in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Methods: Data were collected from December 8 to 20, 2013 and participants were 163 ICU nurses working in one general hospital. The Health Belief Model tool and knowledge and management of MDROs infection tools were used in the study. Descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variances, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. Results: Knowledge, perceived susceptibility, and perceived benefits had a significant influence on MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus,) and MDRAB (Multidrug Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii) infection management when all the other variables were considered. Significant variable which had influence on VRE (Vancomycin Resistant Eenterococci) infection management were perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits. Conclusion: Perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits had significant influence on MDROs infection management. Emphasis needs to be on the perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits of MDROs infection management when providing an educational program for ICU nurses.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the nutritional status and to compare nutritional indicators by caloric intake for intensive care unit patients, Methods: The participants for this descriptive investigation were 62 patients who were admitted to medical and surgical ICUs and started on enteral feeding. Data were collected in a tertiary hospital and the patients were followed for 7 days after enteral feeding was initiated. For analysis, patients who received 80% less calories than their required level were categorized as the underfed group and patients who received more than 80% to their required level, as the adequately fed group. Results: Compared to daily requirements, the prescribed calories and protein for patients overall were 77.39% and 64.75% respectively. The level of calories and protein given was less than their prescription. However, a comparison of the underfed group and the adequately fed group, showed that there was no significantly difference in albumin, prealbumin and transferrin. Only body weight was significantly different between the groups. C-reactive protein had a significant correlation with prealbumin and transferrin. Conclusion: Underfeeding is a common phenomenon among ICU patients. Nutritional indicators such as prealbumin, albumin and transferrin may not sensitive indicators to assess nutritional status of ICU patients.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.535-544
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was done to develop a schematized alarm-managing manual for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and to investigate its effects in maintaining continuity in the patients' treatment and promptly resolving alarms when CRRT is being carried out. Methods: Sixtynurses from two medical intensive care units (ICUs) (one experimental and one control) at one hospital were asked to answer a questionnaire including their CRRT nursing competency and satisfaction with the manual. Data on alarm resolution rate were collected by analyzing existing data, such as the details of each alarm and the number of resolutions around the clock in the CRRT device. Results: The alarm resolution rate and some of CRRT nursing competency scores in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group. The experimental group was also satisfied with the manual. Conclusion: The study confirmed that the schematized alarm-managing manual can be useful for ICU nurses to resolve alarms and can be used as a guideline. Application of this manual to clinical practices and its use can therefore, be encouraged through continuous education and promotion.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.148-156
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the emotional response of family members of physically restrained patients in the intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: The study subjects were 200 family members of ICU patients who had been on physical restraints in two university hospitals. Data were collected using the "Instrument of family's emotional response toward physically restrained patients". Results: The mean score of familial emotional response was 2.69 out of a possible 5. The subcategory of acceptance was the highest with 3.56 points followed by depression (3.02), helplessness (2.94), anxiety (2.87), shock (2.74), avoidance (2.64), and grudge (2.08). Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that the age of family members, side effects of restraints, and information provision were the variables influencing on negative emotional response of family. Conclusion: Family members showed slightly negative emotional response toward the physical restraints. This finding could be influenced by their limited knowledge of the need for the restraints. Educational programs or fact sheets to be given to family members may be helpful.