• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.330-341
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• 2015

Objectives: Emergency medical personnel (EMPs) are pre-hospital emergency responders who are at risk of exposure to infections and may also serve as a source for the transmission of infections. However, few studies of infection control have specifically addressed EMPs in the Republic of Korea (hereafter Korea). The goal of this study was to assess the current status of infection prevention and control programs (IPCPs) for EMPs in Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to quantitatively assess the resources and activities of IPCPs. A total of 907 EMPs in five metropolitan cities completed a structured questionnaire from September 2014 to January 2015. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multi-response analysis, and the chi-square test. Results: The mean age of the participants was $34.8{\pm}15.1years$. IPCPs were found to have weaknesses with regard to the following resources: the assignment of infection control personnel (ICP) (79.5%), hand hygiene resources such as waterless antiseptics (79.3%), the use of paper towels (38.9%), personal protective equipment such as face shields (46.9%), and safety containers for sharps and a separated space for the disposal of infectious waste (10.1%). Likewise, the following activities were found to be inadequately incorporated into the workflow of EMPs: education about infection control (77.5%), post-exposure management (35.9%), and the decontamination of items and spaces after use (88.4%). ICP were found to have a significant effect on the resources and activities of IPCPs (p<0.001). The resources and activities of IPCPs were found to be significantly different among the five cities (p<0.001). Conclusions: IPCPs for EMPs showed some limitations in their resources and activities. IPCPs should be actively supported, and specific IPCP activities for EMPs should be developed.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.111-125
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the impact of rapid cycle deliberate practice (RCDP) simulation education on advanced cardiac life support knowledge, confidence, satisfaction, and performance ability among paramedic students, and provide basic data on the appropriate methods of educational instruction. Methods: The 48 subjects to be instructed were divided into the traditional simulation education group and the RCDP simulation education group. Six participants were randomly assigned to each group and pre-surveyed. They were then exposed to a lecture about advanced cardiac life support related theories for 60 min and post-surveyed through questionnaires with the same learning goals and scenarios. Results: The advanced cardiac life support knowledge (t=-4.813, p=.000) and performance ability (t=-2.903, p=.006) were significantly different between the traditional simulation education and RCDP simulation education groups The results also showed a significant difference in attach monitor (z=6.857, p=.009), analyze EKG rhythm (z=11.111, p=.001), and defibrillation (z=12.632, p=.000), indicating differences in performance capabilities between the two groups. Conclusion: To improve advanced cardiac life support knowledge, performance ability, and confidence in the paramedic students who receive RCDP simulation education, simulation education methods that are appropriate for the subjects being taught, and detailed learning goals and feedback are necessary.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.235-241
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• 2021

Cardiogenic syncope occurs due to arrhythmia (bradycardia and tachycardia) or decreased cardiac output, and if proper treatment is not provided, it can lead to acute sudden death. A detailed medical history and physical examinations are required to determine the cause of syncope, and clinical approaches, including 12-lead ECG, are important. The 12-lead ECG does not have a chest lead in the posterior wall of the left ventricle; therefore, ECG of the isolated posterior wall myocardial infarction caused by left circumflex artery occlusion is not observed with ST elevation. Therefore, the significantly higher appearance of ST depression and R waves than S waves from V1 to V3 of the chest lead must be interpreted meaningfully. Isolated posterior wall myocardial infarction is small in the area of myocardial necrosis, and tension is increased in the necrotic area due to the contraction of the normal myocardial muscle, which can cause ventricular wall rupture. Therefore, it is necessary to additionally check Beck's triad, such as jugular venous distension and decreased heart sound, in patients with low blood pressure with an isolated posterior wall myocardial infarction on 12-lead ECG in patients with syncope.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.376-387
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was to systematically review the contents and effects of nurse-led transitional care programs for discharged patients from hospital to home. Methods: Randomized controlled trials published between 2005 and 2015 were searched in Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane(Central Register of Controlled Trials) and CINAHL. Data were analyzed using Cochrane Review Manager(Revman) software 5.3. Results: Nine studies were selected and analyzed. Patient assessment, education and discharge planning were included in pre-discharge phase. Referring, communication and care planning were performed by nurses in transition phase. Home and phone visits, monitoring and multidisciplinary advices were included in post-discharge phase. Various outcome measures such as hospital utilization(30 days readmission and emergency department visit), quality of life, and cost were used to identify effectiveness of nurse-led transitional care programs. 30 days readmission(OR=.73, 95% CI 0.54, 0.98; p=.03) and emergency department visit(OR=.67, 95% CI 0.50, 0.88; p=.005) were statistically significant in meta-analysis. However, participant blinding was not done in seven studies which put at the risk of performance bias. Conclusion: The results indicated that nurse-led transitional care program is effective in reducing unnecessary hospital utilization. Nevertheless, small sample size and risk at performance bias are the limitation of this study. Thus, we suggest that well-designed randomized controlled trials need to be conducted.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.577-583
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• 2021

Objective: To report the authors' experience in performing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for zone 2 lesions after traumatic aortic injury (TAI). Materials and Methods: This retrospective review included 10 patients who underwent zone 2 TEVAR after identification of aortic isthmus injury by CT angiography (CTA) upon arrival at the emergency room of a regional trauma center from 2016 to 2019. Patients were classified into two groups: those who underwent left subclavian artery (LSA) embolization concurrently with the main TEVAR procedure, and those in whom LSA embolization was not performed during the main procedure, but was planned as a bailout treatment if type II endoleak was noted on follow-up CTA images. Pre-procedural and procedure-related factors and post-procedure prognosis were compared between the groups. Results: There were no differences in pre-procedural factors, occurrence of endoleaks, and post-procedure prognosis (including mortality) between patients in the two groups. The duration of the procedure was shorter in the non-LSA embolization group (61 minutes vs. 27 minutes, p = 0.012). During follow-up, type II endoleak did not occur in either group. Conclusion: Delaying preventative LSA embolization until stabilization of the patient would be desirable when performing zone 2 TEVAR for TAI, in the absence of endoleak on the completion aortography image taken after complete deployment of the stent graft.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• no.spc
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• pp.85-95
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• 2016

This study is to introduce a comprehensive framework of a crisis management system developed at a prominent hospital in South Korea. Throughout recent decades, especially in the recent years, the way in which to cope with both internal and external challenges has been one of the most critical issues. Since the incident management system in the U.S. is acknowledged as the most advanced crisis management model in the world, a portion of this study refers to the Hospital Incident Command System(HICS) provided by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority(EMSA). Nevertheless, the framework suggested in this article was designed based on a distinctive Korean hospital setting. The main contents of this study are as follows; categorization of each type of crisis, organization of a crisis management team in a non-crisis or crisis state, crisis assessment by life cycle stage, and establishment of crisis management protocol. Even though many types of crises are unspecified, those can be categorized into external crisis, medical crisis, and utility & activity failure. A crisis management organization should be operated and consisted differently- depending on a crisis or non-crisis situation. From a life-cycle perspective, the range by which the crisis should be managed extends from pre-stage to post-stage of the crisis. It is important to set proper scenarios and manuals by crisis type to develop a crisis management framework of high quality. With continuous efforts, hospitals can prepare for the uncertainty to better concentrate on core business operations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1427-1431
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• 2016

Background: Potential disadvantages of blood transfusion during curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer have been reported, and the role of peri-operative transfusions remains to be ascertained. Thus, the aim of our study was to survey its impact in patients with gastric cancer undergoinging gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: Clinical data of patients receiving curative gastrectomy at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital were obtained. Findings for pre-operative anemia states, pre-, peri- and post-operative transfusion of red blood cell (RBC) products as well as post-operative complication events were collected for univariate analysis. Results: A total of 116 patients with gastric cancer received gastrectomy at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital from 2011 to 2014. Both pre-operative and intra- and post-operative transfusion of RBC products were markedly associated with post-operative infectious events (OR: 3.70, 95% CI: 1.43-9.58, P=0.002; OR: 8.20, 95% CI: 3.11-22.62, P<0.001, respectively). In addition, peri- and post-operative RBC transfusion was significantly associated with prolonged hospital stay from admission to discharge (OR: 8.66, 95% CI: 1.73-83.00, P=0.002) and post-operative acute renal failure (OR: 19.69, 95% CI: 2.66-854.56, P<0.001). Also, the overall survival was seemingly decreased by peri-operative RBC transfusion in our gastric cancer cases (P=0.078). Conclusions: Our survey indicated that peri-operative RBC transfusion could increase the risk of infectious events and acute renal failure post curative gastrectomy as well as worsen the overall survival in gastric cancer cases. Hence, unnecessary blood transfusion before, during and after curative gastrectomy should be avoided in patients with gastric cancer.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.220-228
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• 2022

Objective: glucometer is one of POCT(point-of-care testing) devices used by EMS. Accurate measurement value is important for patient decision making. Quality control is necessary for this, but most EMS are still using glucometer without quality control it. Therefore, management status and quality control status of glucometers used by 119 paramedics waswere investigated. Methods: 6 and 8 of glucometers and blood glucose test strips were submitted from 4 safety centers in 2010 and 8 safety centers in 2012, respectively. Glucometers submitted by local safety centers were analyzed in 2010 and 2012. The control glucometer, which was well managed at A University Hospital, was assumed to be accurate for at blood glucose measurement. Glucose values of various quality control materials control solutions were measured and analyzed using linear regression and Pearson's correlation test. Error rates were obtained via error tolerance range required by the 2011 ISO(International Organization for Standardization) guideline. For statistics, Excel and MedCalC programs were used. Results: mong 14 safety centers in the region, 4 centers(28.5%) in 2010 and 8 centers(57.1%) in 2012 submitted 6 and 8 glucometers. In the first evaluation in 2010, 2 out of 6(33.3%) glucometers were untestable due to error, and 45 out of 6(66.683.3%) blood glucose test strips' validity were expired. In the second evaluation in 2012, 1 out of 8(13.5%) glucometers were untestable due to lack of battery, and 2 out of 8(25%) blood glucose test strips' validity were expired. All correlation coefficients were above 0.989 in 2010 and above 0.997 in 2012. Error rates were generally high when using expired blood glucose test strips. Conclusion: Among 119 paramedics' guideline, quantity and operation status of POCT devices are well managed, but quality control is not. Therefore, it is necessary to add management status and quality control status of POCT devices to the EMS' field work guideline.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.361-375
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• 2001

This research aims to produce and implement web-based continuing nurse education programs in response to nurses' educational needs, and to verify them, thus preparing for the times that the program will be offered via web. This research designed, produced and implemented 'emergency nursing' and 'medical fee schedule management' subjects based on Jung, In-seong's(1997) web-based instructional system design, and then compared the learning achievements of web-based learning group of 38 people with those of face-to-face learning group of 39 people. The questionnaire have been developed by these researchers to measure pre-learning knowledge on 'emergency nursing' and 'medical fee schedule management.' Data collected for this research have been given statistical analysis, using SPSS 10.0 for Windows Program. As a result of giving Mann-Whitney test, with respect to pre-learning prior knowledge level, there was no significant difference between the web-based learning group and the face-to-face learning group(Z=-.092, p=.926), while after completing learning, there was a significant difference in the learning achievements between the web-based learning group and the face-to-face learning group(Z=-2.406, p=.008). That is, this research revealed this: the web-based learning group and the face-to face learning group with both having no significant difference in the pre-learning level, after receiving the continuing education each with different methods(face-to-face education and web-based education), showed that the web-based learning groups attained higher learning achievements than the face-to-face learning groups. This result proves the effect of the web-based education to be no worse or even better than that of the face-to-face education, provided that choices of appropriate themes and quality courses composition, as well as systematic design development effective implementation are guaranteed.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.81-90
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• 2012

Objectives: This study is to research delay time comparison for later defibrillation after hands off according to the changes in defibrillation electrodes. Study purpose: In defibrillation treatment that is the only way for cardiac arrest by arrhythmia, it is to find defibrillator device which can minimize late defibrillation delay time after important affect of hands off. Study object and method: After hands off according to the defibrillator device, we collected total 40 people for emergency medicine doctor, internal medicine doctor, general surgeon, nurse, emergency medical technician who are working at 2 CN, CS University hospitals in Gwangju Jeollanamdo district to find out hand off shock interval(HOSI). We then researched their general properties like occupation sector, experiences in clinic, gender, completion of AHA ACLS-P training and more. Then 40 participants continued ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest simulation training (using human-model mannequin) designed by researcher and performed their roles as defibrillation operator. Each of participant used manual paddle and performed 4 times of defibrillation (150J) during 8 minutes of CPR and in 8day, the defibrillator devices were replaced from manual paddle to self-adhesive electrodes pads and 4 times of defibrillation (150J) under same simulation condition as manual paddle were performed. Study result: In comparison for delay time of later defibrillation after hands off of manual paddle and self adhesive electrodes pad, the self adhesive electrodes pad ($7.0{\pm}0.5sec$) seemed to reduce delay time of later defibrillation significantly (p<0.05) compared to manual paddle ($10.0{\pm}0.9sec$). The self adhesive electrodes pad, according to the general properties of participants, had no particular change in delay time after later defibrillation for the statistics (p>0.05) but the manual paddle had statistically significant differences for the occupation sector, experiences in clinic and gender (p<0.05). Conclusion: In defibrillation, the self adhesive electrodes pad($7.0{\pm}0.5sec$) showed short HOSI compared to manual paddle ($10.0{\pm}0.9sec$) significantly (p<0.05) and it applied identically for both existence and non-existence of ACLS-P training completion, experiences in clinic, gender and occupation sector. The manual paddle had also significant difference in experiences in clinic and occupation sector (p<0.05). which means the effect on HOSI according to the job mastery. Therefore, if the clinic experience is short or in case for the occupations without frequent defibrillation treatment has a danger of lowering success rate for the defibrillation using manual paddle. Therefore, it is true that using self adhesive electrodes pad for defibrillation electrodes when performing manual defibrillation in pre-hospital as well as in-hospital steps can generally minimize delay time of later defibrillation after hands off.