• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2010

It has been well known that organic industrial solvents such as toluene, xylene and styrene are environmental health hazards causing occupational diseases to workers. The detection of biological metabolites of toluene, xylene and styrene in blood, urine, breast milk, saliva, and hair of workers exposed to these organic industrial solvents is a useful tool for assessing the amount of organic industrial solvents. Therefor, the external analytical quality assurance program is extremely important work for increasing reliability of the data analyzed in the special health examination laboratory. We evaluated the results of analysis by Korean analytical quality assurance program from the second half 2007 to the first half 2009. The number of participants for analytical quality assurance program for both mandatory item and one of optional items, hippuric acid and methylhippuric acid were 116-122, 116-122 and 105-115 laboratories, respectively. The proficient rate of the special health examination laboratories analyzed both mandatory item and optional item, hippuric acid and methylhippuric acid were 92-98%, 92-98% and 96-98%, respectively. We can conclude from our data that the analytical quality assurance program is a essential tool for improvement of reliability on the data analyzed in the special health examination laboratories.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.112-116
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• 2022

Background/Aims: The Gachon Regional Occupational Cohort Study (GROCS) is a large-scale longitudinal study of occupational safety and health data (covering Work Environment Monitoring, Workers' Health Surveillance, and Occupational Health Service) conducted by the Gachon University Gil Medical Center (GUGMC) in Incheon, Republic of Korea. We conducted GROCS to identify the health effects of workers' occupational risks, behavior, socioeconomic status, and life style. Methods: The GROCS includes data from Work Environment Monitoring, Workers' Health Surveillance, and Occupational Health Service. The baseline year for all data collection was 2018. Work Environment Monitoring was conducted in 240 companies located in Incheon. General Health Examination and Special Health Examination were performed on 32,725 and 9,504 workers, respectively. Occupational Health Services were provided to 16,883 workers in 171 companies. These data have been collected and operated at an external data management institution and were provided as a retrospective cohort after removing personal identification information. Results: In 2018, the total number of companies was 2,854, among which which 488 special Health Examination, 171 Work Environment Monitoring, and 240 Occupational Health Service. The proportion of companies undergoing Special Health Examination was 17.1%, the proportion of companies undergoing Work Environment Monitoring was 8.4%, and the proportion of Companies undergoing Occupational Health Service was 6.0%. Conclusion: GROCS expects researchers to utilize its useful and reliable resource for occupational health and surveillance with for academic or political purposes to lead to improved workers' health and working environment.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.361-366
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• 2020

Background: This study aimed to identify the validity of breast cancer symptom questionnaire of worker's special health examination and its relationship with breast ultrasonography findings in young female night workers. Methods: The breast cancer symptom questionnaire data of worker's special health examination and breast ultrasonography results in young female shift workers who worked in one electronic manufacture company were collected from 2014 to 2018. Results: Of the 857 workers, 18 had a Breast Imaging Reporting and Database System category 4 or higher. Among other variables, shift work tenure alone was associated with the risk of having a Breast Imaging Reporting and Database System category higher than 4. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the symptom questionnaire were 16.7%, 87.7%, 2.8%, and 98.0%, respectively. Conclusion: The current breast cancer symptom questionnaire of the worker's special health examination is inappropriate due to its low sensitivity and positive predictive value. In the future, female night workers will need alternative measures for more accurate screening for breast cancer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.231-241
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the input status of exposure-related information in the working environment monitoring database (WEMD) and special health examination database (SHED) for the construction of a national exposure surveillance system. Methods: The industrial and process code input status of WEMD and SHED for 21 carcinogens from 2014 to 2016 was compared. Data from workers who performed both work environment monitoring and special health examinations in 2019 and 2020 were extracted and the actual status of input of industrial and process codes was analyzed. We also investigated the cause of input errors through a focus group interview with 12 data input specialists. Results: As a result of analyzing WMED and SHED for 21 carcinogens, the five-digit industrial code matching rate was low at 53.5% and the process code matching rate was 19% or less. Among the data that simultaneously conducted work environment monitoring and special health examination in 2019 and 2020, the process code matching rate was very low at 18.1% and 5.2%, respectively. The main causes of exposure-related data input errors were the difference between the WEMD and SHED process code input systems from 2020, the number of standard process and job codes being too large, and the inefficiency of the standard code search system. Conclusions: In order to use WEMD and SHED as a national surveillance system, it is necessary to simplify the number of standard code input codes and improve the search system efficiency.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.5-15
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• 2024

Purpose: The study aim was to examine the home healthcare system and relevant education, as well as the special certification examination, and propose a plan to increase the supply of home health nurses. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using data from research articles, Korean and U.S. educational institutes and organizations, Korean national statistical data, government press releases, and related medical legislation. Results: Between 2005 and 2006, 763 home health nurses were certified through the special qualification examination; however, in the 16 years from 2007 to 2023 (after the graduate-level program was established), a total of 555 home health nurses were certified, with an average of approximately 35 per year. Currently, 790 home health nurses are working at 194 medical institutions nationwide. Relatively few institutions exist in rural areas, and the supply of home health nurses is low. Only seven educational institutions offer home health nurse certification programs, with a total of 77 designated students. In contrast to Korea, post-master's certification courses are offered in the U.S.. Conclusion: To expand the supply of home health nurses, we recommend revising the rules for the special qualification examination and introducing a post-master's certification program for home health nurses. Future studies should provide additional education for applicants from other specialties in post-master's certification programs.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.117-130
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• 1993

There has been a rapid growth in Korea since 1962 because of the success of the 5-year Economic Plan. The number of industrial work and workers has also made had a rapid increase. Consequently, the management of occupational health for the purpose of promoting health in industrial workers is needed especially in the health examination program. The purpose of this study was to analyze the Knowledge, and Attitude among industrial workers of health examination programs. The target population was 402 industrial workers from 4 factories in Kangwon province. A survey was conducted to collect data by a self administered questionnaire from October 29 to November 5. A sixty four item questionnaire was designed to collect data concerning Knowledge, and Attitude of health examination of industrial workers. The data was analyzed by means of percentage, mean, T-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient. The major findings were as follows : 1. The respondents presented the following picture : The male population was 88%. 57% of respondents were age 25-34 years old. 69.4% of respondents were married. 73.4% of respondents were high school graduates. 80.8% of the respondents were working over 48 hours per week. The respondents with over 10 years on the job were 31.9% of the respondents. Health examination were given to the respondents as: pre-employment health examination 90.5%, general health examination 91.5%, and special health examination 31.5%. 2. The Knowledge level was different in health examination items. 80.5% of respondents had knowledge about hearing test, body weight, visually, chest X-ray like simple things. Below 50% of respondents had knowledge of urine test, liver function test, and career history. 3. Attitude status about health examination showed an average score 36.5(median 33) of satisfaction, 26.93(median 21) of importance, 13.84 (median 21) of content, 10.46(median 12 of reliability on health examination results. 4. The level of Attitude on health examination was significantly different than the Knowledge level. 5. The relationship among stated variables such as satisfaction, the perceptions of importance on health, health examination, the result and follow up after health examination were shown to reflect neither positively nor negatively on each other.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 1993

The purpose of this study was to find the status of health examination and health management of industrial companies located in Taegu and Kyung book areas. It will provide basic information for the provision of effective health management of industrial workers. 49 companies were selected as a study sample group, and data was collected by using a structured Questionnaire which was developed by the members of the Community Health Nursing Academy of Korean Nursing. The health managers of the companies filled out the Questionnaire. The data was gathered from Dec 20, 1992 to Jan 20. The results of the study was as follows : 1. The Study sample showed 85.7% manufacturing companies having 300 or more workers. 2. All the companies had health managers, and companies which had 1,000 or more workers had industrial physicians and nurses. Only 12.2% of the industrial physicians were full time employees, and almost all industrial nurses were full time employees. Except for industrial physicians and nurses, the proportion of hygienists (6.1%), nurses aids (4.1%), and environmental engineers (22.4%) with full time employment statuss was very low. The mean age of industrial physicians was 49.2 while that of industrial nurses was 27.2. The length of work experiences currently ranges for 1 to 3 years for all health workers: physicians, nurses, hygienists, and environmental engineers. 3. Health examination and follow up care 94.31% took general health examinations. Of those, the proportion of the workers, who were determined as C grade(in need of close examination) was 43.86%. The proportion of the workers who were determined as D grade was 22.19%. 13.28% of the workers evaluated at the D grade were taken as a gauge for temporary leave from work. While 8.7% and .09% of them were taken as gauge for a change in job, and or shortening work hours respectively. The proportion of workers who must have taken special examination was 65.04% and of those the proportion of the workers who actually took, the examination was 98.55%. 75% of the workers who were recommended for follow up care were given follow up care. The special examinations were done the most frequently to detect the effects of physical agents (59.2%). Direct notice to individual workers was used the most frequently as a method of notification after a special examination (61.2%). The length of time taken to receive the result of a special examination was less than 1 month (38.9%) and 36.7% had taken up to two months (36.7%.). Most results of special examination were obtained within 2 months. The referral rate of consulting special examination by health managers was estimated at 95.9%. 4. 89.8% of the companies had. their own company dispensaries and 75.5% of those. had separate dispensaries. 32.7% of the companies designated local clinics for health management of workers. Industrial nurses performed health examination the most frequently(1.4 points). Health appraisal for work places were. done the least(0.83 points).

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.14-24
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• 1993

The Purpose of this study was to explore the condition of periodic medical examination and the health care services of industries in order to offer some basic data on developing industrial nursing care. To achieve this goal a self - administered questionnaire (developed by the academic affairs of community health nursing) was provieded to the nurses in 56 industries from Dec. 10, 1992 to Jan. 20, 1993. The statistical computer package, SPSS, was used to manipulate the data along with T-test and ANOVA. The results were as follows : 1. General characteristics: The greater part of the industries were manufacturing company, and below 300 employees of industry were 55.4%. The shift system was mostly one shift(66.1%) and three shift(23.2%), and 50.0% them organized the Industrial Safety and Health Commitee. Average a number of employees was 631 person. 2. Periodic Medical Examination: Most of the workers were receiving periodic medical examination from the designated hospital (95.71%). From the about 12.89% were gone through a colse medical examination. In colse medical examination 58.41% were decided 'C' and 36.73% were decided 'D'. About 6.23% off those who had any clinical findings were work-time shortening(7.84%), work-transition(8.12%), recoverating at home. The majority of the workers receive the result of the periodic medical examination individually (78.5%). 3. Special medical examination: The rate of those who are receiving special medical examination were 76.82% and about 8.24% were decided 'C' and 1.23% were decided 'D' Those who had any health problems were receiving follow-up checking (9.10%) and medical treatment while working (15.04%). The health managers in the company can consult (85.7%) those who had any suspicious sign and symptoms of occupational disease. 4. Health care services: The average score of health care services were 17.57 point out of 28 point, and the score was lower in health assessment and environmental hygiene than medical diagnosis and health education. There were significant differences in environmental hygine (F=3.72, P=0.017), health care services(F=3.94, P=0.013) according to the size of the size of the industries The other's significancy is not shown by any type of industrial nurse. The level of health care services were higher in the wokers who had better health and showed no singificant differences(T=-0.73, P=0.470).

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.540-548
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• 2021

Introduction: Preplacement health examination (PHE) is performed when a worker starts a certain work task which is designated as having occupational risks by the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL). All data related to health examination except PHE are reported to the MOEL by the law. This study has been performed to understand the status of PHE at certain workplaces. Methods: PHE data gathered in a university hospital were analyzed and they were followed with results of the special health examination (SHE) in 2019 and 2020. Those who were evaluated as unfit to work as it was, were interviewed directly or indirectly through an occupational health manager to follow up the management status of their recognized health problems. Results: The unfit to work (unFTW) rate of PHE was 2.8%, and was not different according to the size of workplace or having occupational health service. The major cause of unfit to work was the uncontrolled life-style diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. The rate of SHE followed by PHE was 31.1%. It was not different by the unFTW rates, however, they were different according to having a full time in-house occupational health manager. Thirty-one among 71 examinees who were evaluated as unFTW underwent SHE after controlling their health condition and were finally evaluated as fit to work. Nineteen among 31 started to take medicine and eight have been placed in the work without designated risks. Conclusion: PHE can be used for new workers, who may have unknown or uncontrolled life-style diseases, to be asked to manage life-style diseases as well as work-related risks such as shift work. In order to have a better tracking system for work-related risks, the information of PHE should be analyzed together with other data from health examination.

• Journal of Multimedia Information System
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.303-308
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• 2019

The personal health record platform can store and manage medical records, health-monitoring data such as blood pressure and blood sugar, and life logs generated from various wearable devices. It provides services such as international standard-based medical document management, data pattern analysis and an intelligent inference engine, and disease prediction and domain contents. This study aims to construct a foundation for the transmission of international standard-based medical documents by mapping the diagnosis items of a general health examination, special health examination, life logs, health data, and life habits with the international standard terminology systems. The results of mapping with international standard terminology systems show a high mapping rate of 95.6%, with 78.8% for LOINC, 10.3% for SNOMED, and 6.5% when mapped with both LOINC and SNOMED.