• Fibers and Polymers
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.129-134
• /
• 2003

We have shown in Part I [1] of this study that medical needle-stick injuries are causing serious health problems to healthcare personnel and other professionals that require the attention of healthcare and textile researchers to develop new protective systems. Responding to such need, a needle force measurement device that is capable of measuring dynamic forces experienced by medical needles during needle penetration through protective articles was developed and described in part I. This paper reports the results of evaluation of protective woven fabrics from high performance fibers and standard and bifid medical needles using the force measurement system. The woven fabrics varied in cover factor, number of layers, and orientation angle. Standard and bifid needles with different gap widths were used to evaluate the resistance of the fabric to needle penetration.

• Fibers and Polymers
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.54-58
• /
• 2003

Previous research on healthcare workers’ protection has concentrated on liquid barrier protection by providing impermeable personal articles such as latex gloves. This property is of high importance but since most blood-borne pathogen transmissions in the healthcare industry are caused by needle-stick injuries, protection from sharp invasive instruments should also be of high concern. And since latex and alike provide no protection against needle-stick injuries, new protective systems need to be developed and evaluated. This part of the study provides a review regarding the current practice of protection and the serious problems that arise from needle-flick injuries. Additionally, the development of new protective system is described. In part II of the study, evaluation of the new system will be provided.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.59-69
• /
• 1994

Polygonum aviculare L. was extracted by methanol and then fractionated systematically with solvents and column chromatographic method in order to isolate ingredients with anti-lipid peroxidation and liver protectective effects. Among these fractions, ethylacetate soluble part(MWE) showed the strongest in the anti-lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the crude subtraction(MWE 4) with Rf value near 0.42, which is separated from MWE by column chromatography using a solvent system, inhibited the lipid peroxidation of rat liver in vitro. Moreover, MWE 4 decreased GOT, GPT and TBA value compared with control and suggested high protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice. The active compounds in MWE 4 were assumed to be flavonoid glucosides.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.72-89
• /
• 2000

Background : Various types of protective footwear have been used to minimize bacterial contamination in operating rooms. In recent years, debate has arisen concerning the need for use of such protective footwear. This study was designed to provide useful data about choosing shoes most suitable for the surgical environment. Methods : Between November, 1999 and January, 2000, we performed this experimental study by comparing effect of three types of shoes (i.e., disposable shoescover, operating room-restricted shoes, and ordinary shoes) on bacterial contamination of operating rooms equipped with two different ventilation systems (i.e., high air-change, low air-change) respectively. Data were collected during two- hour sham operations in which subjects and their activities were strictly standardized. Bacterial flora were sampled from the study area floor and air colony counts were measured. Results : In experiments involving high air-change ventilation system, there was a significant difference of floor contamination between three types of shoes, but no difference of air contamination. Under low air-change system, there was a significant difference of both floor and air contamination between three types of shoes. Conclusion : The results show that protective footwear would be unnecessary in the operating room with high air-change ventilation system, but it is important to choose suitable shoes carefully under low air-change system. Therefore, the use of outdoor shoes can be considered under high air-change system, but it would seem sensible to apply their first use in less bloody operations at the day surgery center or out-patient department to prevent transfer of body fluid into the outside environment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.182-194
• /
• 2022

Objectives: This study evaluates and recommends the priority of policy implementation to improve the fire protection clothing management system used by firefighters and the reduction of cross-contamination from contaminated clothing at the scene of a fire. Methods: It consisted of 7 experts and conducted three interviews and two modified Delphi surveys. Through the results of previous research and interviews with experts, a plan to reduce cross-contamination of fire suits and improve the management system was first derived. An improvement plan was presented in the four areas including resources, management, fire protection related work, and laws and regulations, and the priority of policy implementation was derived by analyzing the importance and practicality of the policy at the same time. Results: As a result of the analysis, the first priority was education on the health effects of pollutants at the disaster scene for firefighters, and the second priority was the addition of SOP for the primary decontamination of on-scene personal protective equipment in preparation for the health effects of the disaster scene, and education for fire suppression and rescue workers. The next step was to improve the management system of personal protective equipment such as fire suits and develop a training course for systematic operation. Conclusions: This findings could be used in the implementation of mid- to long-term firefighting policies for the systematic operation and establishment of a systematic management system for personal protective equipment such as fire protective suits.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.19-32
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study examined the effect of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), positive airway pressure, and the posture of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) when conducting CPR. Methods: Twenty 119 EMTs performed 30:2 CPR on a manikin for 4 min. Imaging data were digitized with Kwon3D XP (version 4.0). Data were collected by analyzing the motion when starting in one cycle, such as pressing to the maximum and in the final position (relaxed), and were analyzed with SPSS 18.0. Results: The angle of the elbow joints was significantly reduced (p < .05). The trunk angle was statistically significantly (p < .01, p < .001) increased. The angular velocities of the shoulder joint and left elbow joint were reduced (p > .05). The angular velocity of the trunk was significantly reduced in the starting and maximum compression postures. The hand-escape time was increased. The average compression depth was increased but not significantly (p > .05). The positive airway pressure was reduced (p > .05). Conclusion: The angle of the elbow joints and the angular velocity of the trunk were reduced, and the angle of the trunk was increased. The success of CPR and positive airway pressure was reduced.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.343-370
• /
• 2005

This study is to find out factors that protect social workers in a medical setting from burnout. It is differentiated from the existing studies, which focused on factors or process causing burnout. The participants of the study were ten social workers, who have been working in a medical setting for at least seven years and were recognized as competent social workers by at least five other colleagues. The data were collected through intensive interviews. The contents of the interviews were analyzed by using Nvivo2, a computer software program for use qualitative study analysis. The result of this study categorized coping strategies that kept the social workers from burnout. Among such factors were their own admissions of having professional competency, feeling worthwhile and sense of accomplishment, having a firm belief system and value about their profession, teamwork, and their overall disposition. Additionally, they said that the support by their agency and the recognition and support by family contributed to their overall coping ability. Through this study, it was found that the social workers in medical setting were reducing risk factors related to burnout and overcoming them with various protective factors. These protective factors reflected the unique characteristics that social workers encounter in a medical setting. It was remarkable that 'developing and managing their professional competency' was emphasized most as a protective factor.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.1-20
• /
• 2013

This research observed the interrelations between the active components found specifically in red ginseng and fermented red ginseng from among the variety of ginseng variations and the protective effect and anti-oxidant effect exercised on brain cells in the animal model for MPTP-induced neurotoxic Parkinson's Disease and obtained the following conclusions. The results above comprehensively demonstrated that the fermented red ginseng extract exercised greater protective effects against oxidant brain damage by MPTP when compared to the group administered with the red ginseng extract. This was induced an increase in TH protein expression, and further raised the efficiency of the anti-oxidant enzyme defensive system against neurotoxicity, thereby restraining the lipid peroxidation caused by the active oxygen generated during the course of MPTP metabolism and enhancing the body's defensive capacities in response to tissue damage, thereby demonstrating a protective effect against MPTP induced neurotoxicity.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.136-141
• /
• 2013

Background: Occupational end users of pesticides may experience bodily absorption of the pesticide products they use, risking possible health effects. The purpose of this paper is to provide a guide for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers working in the field of agricultural health or other areas where occupational end use of pesticides and exposure issues are of interest. Methods: This paper characterizes the health effects of pesticide exposure, jobs associated with pesticide use, pesticide-related tasks, absorption of pesticides through the skin, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for reducing exposure. Conclusions: Although international and national efforts to reduce pesticide exposure through regulatory means should continue, it is difficult in the agricultural sector to implement engineering or system controls. It is clear that use of PPE does reduce dermal pesticide exposure but compliance among the majority of occupationally exposed pesticide end users appears to be poor. More research is needed on higher-order controls to reduce pesticide exposure and to understand the reasons for poor compliance with PPE and identify effective training methods.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.111-121
• /
• 2024

Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of microscopic solid inhalable particles including airborne liquid droplets, and it is implicated with several diseases. The eye does not have a protective barrier among the human organs, consequently it get directly exposed to environmental substances such as PM. The scarcity of treatments for damage to the eyesight and the vision and eye structure being closely related to the structure and function of the central nervous system highlights the cruciality of novel therapeutics. In this study was conducted using in vivo zebrafish vertebrate model which is a useful model due to the conserved genes between human. We found that protective effect of Octopus minor extract against particulate matter-induced adverse effects on eye development in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos by regulating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mRNA expression.