• Title/Summary/Keyword: awareness of infection management

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End-of-Life Issues in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Ghosh, Deyashinee;Gupta, Bhavna
    • Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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    • v.23 no.3
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    • pp.162-165
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    • 2020
  • Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought the world to a standstill and has exposed the lack of preparedness of most nations' health care systems. Even in usual times, palliative care has not received its fair share of recognition as an important component of patient care; instead, the emphasis is often placed on aggressive patient management. Now, with the entire medical community and decision-making committees focussed on intensive patient care, end-of-life care has taken a backseat. Methods: This article is a brief communication. Results: COVID 19 infection has been shown to lead to greater mortality and morbidity in patients with pre-existing illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, renal failure, and cancer. Patients typically in need of end-of-life care, such as those with late-stage cancer or heart failure, are therefore at a higher risk of both contracting COVID-19 and suffering a more severe disease course. The strict nationwide lockdowns being imposed in most countries have deterred patients from seeking medical attention or hospice care. Every day new research is coming to light regarding COVID 19. This has helped significantly in creating awareness and limiting the spread of disease. However, misinformation is also rampant, leading to discrimination and mistreatment of infected patients. Conclusion: This pandemic has been a terrifying ordeal for all and has exposed our entire population physically, psychologically, emotionally, and financially to unimaginable stresses. In the present scenario, EOL care is as much a necessity as intensive care and should be given at least a fraction of its importance.

A Study on deduction of important factors for new infectious diseases through big data analysis (빅데이터 분석을 통한 신종감염병 중요 요인 도출)

  • Suh, Kyung-Do
    • Journal of Industrial Convergence
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.35-40
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    • 2021
  • This study attempted to derive important factors of emerging infectious diseases by collecting and analyzing text data onto emerging infectious diseases. For this purpose, articles in the Naver News database were directly crawled, pre-processed, and used for data analysis. In addition, additional analysis was performed using Big Kinds. As a result of the priority analysis, the importance was shown in the order of corona, infectious disease, quarantine, vaccine, outbreak, virus, infection, and development. As a result of the proximity centrality analysis, the importance was shown in the order of government, death, and plan, and the analysis result of Big Kinds showed that Covid-19 and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were important. Based on the results of this study, it can be said that the government's policy support is needed to raise public awareness of new infectious diseases, prevent disease, and develop vaccines and treatments.

Extra Dose Measurement of Differential Slice Thickness of MVCT Image with Helical Tomotherapy (토모테라피 치료 시 MVCT Image의 Slice Thickness 차이에 따른 선량 비교)

  • Lee, Byungkoo;Kang, Suman
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.145-149
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    • 2013
  • Helical Tomotherapy is an innovative means of delivering intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) using a device that merges features of a linear accelerator and helical computed tomography (CT) scanner. Hereat, during helical tomotherapy process, megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) image are usually used for guiding the precise set-up of patient before/after treatment delivery. But which would certainly increase the total dose for patients, this study was to investigate the imaging dose of MVCT using the cylindrical "Cheese" phantom on a tomotherapy machine. A set of cylindrical "Cheese" phantom was adopted for scanning with respectively pitch value (1, 2, 3 mm) with same number slice (10 slice), same length (approximately 9 cm) and phantom set-ups on the couch of tomotherapy system. The average MVCT imaging dose were measured using A1SL ion chamber inserted in the phantom with preset geometry. The MVCT scanning average dose for the cylindrical "Cheese" phantom was 2.24 cGy, 1.02 cGy, 0.81 cGy during respectively pitch value (pitch 1, 2, 3 mm) with same number slice (10 slice), and same length's average dose was 2.47 cGy, 1.28 cGy, 0.88 cGy respectively (pitch 1, 2, 3 mm). Two major parameters, the assigned pitch numbers and scanning length, where the most important impacts to the dose variation. The MVCT dose was inversely proportional to the CT pitch value. The results may provide a reliable guidance for proper planning design of the scanning region, which is valuable to help minimize the extra dose to patient. 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.

Study on knowledge and awareness of elementary school students about Foot-and-mouth disease (초등학생들의 구제역에 대한 지식과 인식 조사)

  • Kim, Seok-Hwan;Lee, Yeo-Jin;Kim, Eun-Yeob
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.12 no.11
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    • pp.5063-5070
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    • 2011
  • Foot-and-mouth disease occurs in cattle or wild animal with two hooves such as cow, pig, sheep, goat, and deer. In this study, survey on knowledge, awareness, and lifestyle about foot-and-mouth disease was performed on 398 elementary school in 5 regions in Gyeonggi-do. 49 people (92.5%) from the group who have been educated about the foot-and-mouth disease replied that they have heard of foot-and-mouth disease and 139 people (68.5%) from the group who have not been educated about the disease replied that they have not heard of the disease. About the knowledge regarding "Foot-and-mouth disease virus is destroyed at temperatures above $50^{\circ}C$, so cooked food is free from the virus", only 26 people (49.1%) from the educated group and 82 people (40.4%) have correct knowledge. When asked about when education on disease such as foot-and-mouth disease, both groups replied that the education should be done in elementary school. The FMD includes in Korea and is a disease where the infection occurrence is happening continuously from the various nation. Must prepare with a recognition and the knowledge where the people are proper.

The Relationship between Thymic Size and Vesicoureteral Reflux in Infants with Febrile Urinary Tract Infection (발열성 요로감염 영아에서 방광요관역류와 연관된 흉선의 크기)

  • Jung, Seong-Kwan;Park, Kyu-Hee;Yim, Hyung-Eun;Yoo, Kee-Hwan;Hong, Young-Sook;Lee, Joo-Won
    • Childhood Kidney Diseases
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    • v.13 no.2
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    • pp.215-221
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    • 2009
  • Purpose : Thymus is a lymphoproliferative organ that changes size in various physiological states in addition to some pathological conditions. Thymus is susceptible to involution, and shows a dramatic response to severe stress. Thymic measurements may be helpful in various diseases. UTI (urinary tract infection) is most common bacterial infection in infants and VUR (vesicoureteral reflux) is a common abnormality associated with UTI. In our study, the size of thymus was compared on the premise that a greater stress is exerted on the body when UTI is accompanied by VUR, than when occurs on its own. Methods : Thymic size was measured on standard chest anteroposterior radiographs and expressed as the ratio between the transverse diameter of the cardiothymic image at the level of the carina and that of the thorax (CT/T). The medical records of 99 febrile urinary tract infection infants without other genitourinary anomalies except VUR were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Among 99 patients with febrile UTIs, 25 were febrile UTI without VUR and 74 with VUR. For the UTI with VUR group, there was a significant decrease in the thymic size compared to the those without VUR group ($0.382{\pm}0.048$ vs $0.439{\pm}0.079$, P<0.05). However, there were no differences in the duration of fever and WBC, CRP between the UTI with VUR and UTI without VUR. In addition, there were no differences in the cardiothymic/thoracic ratios between renal defects and renal scars in febrile UTI patients. Conclusion : The results of this study show that the shirinkage of thymus was more frequently found in the UTI patients with VUR. Therefore, awareness of the risks associated with thymic size is important for the appropriate work up and management of UTI patients.

The Strategy for Improving Work Environment and Working Conditions among Long-term Health Care Workers in Korea (한국 노인장기요양시설 및 재가 요양보호사들의 노동환경과 노동조건 개선방안)

  • Son, Mia;Kim, Tae Un;Yeh, Sang Eun;Hwang, Eun A;Choi, Minseo;Yun, Jae-Won
    • Health Policy and Management
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    • v.32 no.4
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    • pp.368-379
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    • 2022
  • Background: This study aimed to establish a strategy to improve the poor working environment and working conditions among long-term healthcare workers in Korea. Methods: A total of 600 questionnaires with which long-term health care workers participated in the targeted base areas of each city and province nationwide were distributed directly and 525 responses were collected and 506 responses were analyzed. Surveys, on-site field visits, and in-depth interviews were also conducted to understand the working environment as well as conditions and establish a strategy for improving the working environment among long-term healthcare workers to understand the demands of working conditions and working conditions. Results: Korean long-term care workers firstly and mostly enumerated their risk factors for ill-health when lifting or moving elderly recipients directly by hand (69.9%), followed by increased physical workload with old beds, tools, and facilities (42.3%) in the workplaces, shortage of manpower (32%), and source of infection (30%). To improve the working environment as well as conditions, Korean long-term care workers considered improving low-wage structures, ergonomic improvements to solve excessive physical loads, and increasing various bonus payments as well as implementing the salary system, positive social awareness, and increasing resting time. Of 506 responses, 92.3% replied that the long-term care insurance system for the elderly should be developed to expand publicization at the national level. Conclusion: This study proposes to improve the low-wage structure of Korean long-term care workers, automation and improvement of facilities, equipment, and tools to eliminate excessive physical loads (beneficiary elderly lifting), and reduction of night labor.

Challenges of Medical Waste Treatment in Fiji (피지국에서의 의료폐기물 처리현황과 문제점)

  • Kim, Daeseon;Bolaqace, Josefa;Rafai, Eric;Lee, Chulwoo
    • Journal of Appropriate Technology
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    • v.6 no.1
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    • pp.37-44
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    • 2020
  • Medical waste is any kind of waste that contains infectious material and recommended not to be transferred for infection control. As a means of disposal, incineration has better points than dumping or landfill in the quantity reduction, odorless and nonhazardous. However, open burning and incineration of health care wastes under bad circumstances, can result in the emission of environmental pollutants to air. A burial of biological waste brings pollution of soil and water. Most of sub divisional hospitals in Fiji transfer their medical wastes to divisional hospitals for incineration. In 2011, 62,518 kg of medical waste was incinerated in the three divisional hospitals. However, some medical wastes are considered as general waste and burnt or sent to landfill site, some are buried on site in some sub-divisional hospitals. In this regards, urgent education is necessary for awareness promotion to relevant personnel in medical waste treatment. On site incineration using small scale incinerator is more recommended than transportation of medical wastes treatment in Fiji. Moreover, remotely controllable and fixable small scale of incinerator is more desirable in sub-divisional hospitals. It is recommended that Fiji government to set up a legal framework for medical waste management (MWM), to develop specific guidelines for MWM, to set up a training system for MWM to ensure that all relevant personnel are trained, to develop a monitoring and supervision system for MWM, to clarify the future financing of MWM activities, and to improve the MWM infrastructure.

A Clinical and Radiologic Study of Acute Focal Bacterial Nephritis in Children (소아에서의 급성 국소성 세균성 신장염의 임상 및 방사선학적 고찰)

  • Song, Kum Ho;Huh, Kwon Hoe;Cho, Ok Yeon;Sim, Jae Hoon;Cho, Do Jun;Kim, Dug Ha;Min, Ki Sik;Yoo, Ki Yang;Lee, Kwan Seop
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.46 no.4
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    • pp.351-357
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    • 2003
  • Purpose : To raise awareness of the clinical importance of, and the need for proper management of acute focal bacterial nephritis(AFBN), we analyzed 22 AFBN patients and 22 other upper urinary tract infection patients by use of comparative studies. Methods : From January 2000 to May 2002, 22 AFBN patients aged from 1 month to 12 months were selected. As a control group, 22 UTI patients with no radiologic abnormalities were selected and matched by age and sex. Results : The incidence of AFBN was more common in boys than in girls. Since both groups had similar symptoms, it was difficult to diagnose AFBN by clinical presentations alone. ESR and CRP were significantly higher in AFBN patients. The most common causative organism was E. coli in both groups. On the sonographic findings, the most lesions were seen on the upper lobe of the kidney; more frequently, on left kidney. The lesions showed globular or wedge-shaped increased echogenecity. $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ scan showed the complete coincidence of the location, size and shape in all cases compared to the findings of renal sonography. Conclusion : The roles of renal sonography and DMSA scan were very important, and ultrasonography was an excellent initial tool in diagnosing AFBN. Since the degree of infection in AFBN is more severe than other urinary tract infections and evollution into a renal abscess is possible, early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotics therapy is essential.

Appling Nursing Theory to Clinical Practice of Home Health Care (가정간호실무에 적용가능한 이론적틀)

  • Woo, Seon-Hye
    • Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.5-13
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    • 2004
  • The home health care industry has grown rapidly and can be expected to continue to grow in the foreseeable future. Home health care refers to the practice of nursing applied to clients with a health condition in the clients place of residence. clients and their designated care givers are the focus at home health nursing practice. The goal of care is to initiate. manage and evaluate the resources needed to promote the clients optimal level of well-being and function. Nursing activities necessary to achieve this goal may warrant preventive maintenance and restorative emphases to prevent potential problems from developing. Many project program were suggested home health care model for Korea's health care system and policy direction for expansion and establishment of home health care .But the aim of this paper is to provide on overview for theoretical frame work in home health care. Theories and conceptual frameworks or models are important nursing because they define and guide the boundaries of professional practice and identify key nurse-patient-caregiver relationships that emerge with caring. Following is the research with an investigation of the literature review in the University of Arizona international medline database, In conclusion, are as followers: First, many nursing theorists have had a tremendous impact on nursing practice. the following highlights those nursing theorists that are particularly helpful in understanding home health care. 1. Florence Nightingale : Our earliest theoretical legacy. Nightingale's believes are reflected in basic infection control practice such as hand washing and infectious waste disposal and are key nursing interventions in home care. 2. Martha Roger's :Science of unitary human beings theory. Rorger's believed that the focus of shared. non invasive healing modelities is the human environmental field rather than direct physical care. These modelities continue to evolve as our awareness (reflecting greater diversity, faster rhythms, motions, and ways of knowing) transcends time and space, allowing individuals to get in touch with their integral nature of unbroken wholeness. On people as ever changing energy fields have special relevance in home care especially with hospice and palliative care applications. 3. Madeline Leininger's; Transcultural nursing theory. Home care nurses move through a variety of communities and often care for patients from different cultural back grounds. Therefore Leininger's work has a good that with home care because home care nursing practice is very culturally focused. 4. Dorothea Orem's : Self care deficit theory. Orem's theory views care as something to be performed by both nurses and patients. The role of the nurse is to provide education and support that help patients acquire the necessary activities to perform self-care. Orem's theory is foundational to have care because it begins to truly acknowledge the role of the patient in managing his or her own health. which is referred to as self-care. 5. Margaret Neuman's; Health as expending consciousness theory. Neuman believes that health compasses disease and reflects an underlying pattern of person-environment interaction. A key application of 'Neuman's work to home care is for nurses to understand that health and illness do not necessarily exist at opposite ends of a continuum. 6. Jean Watson's: Theory of human caring. Watson's theory of human caring in nursing proposes human caring as the moral ideal of nursing. Nurses participate human caring to protect, enhance and preserve humanity by assisting individuals to fing meaning in illness. pain and existence and to help others gain self knowledge. self control. and self healing such thinking lends richness to theory development. as well as clinical practice in home care. Second, Robin Rice : Dynamic self determination for self care. (A theoretical framework for home care) Dynamical self determination for self care can be useful to home care nurses in a variety of ways. As research tool it can be reflected in the interview process when the home visit. The home care nurse's role is that of facilitator of patient self-determination for self care through numerous strategies. including patient education and case management.

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