PURPOSE: To identify the incidence of cutaneous injury in clinical nurses. METHOD: From Feb.1 to 28, 2005, 276 clinical nurses were surveyed by questionnaire. RESULTS: 1. Of the nurses, 53.6% had at least one incidence of cutaneous injury, and the mean number of injuries was 1.34. A higher incidence rate for cutaneous injury was found in nurses who were under the age of 25, unmarried and who had less than 3 years career experience. 2. The major causes of injury were syringe needles at 65.0%, and medical instrument were next followed by sharp objects or blades. The injuries occurred when the nurses were rearranging equipment after care (25.2%), taking blood samples (22.8%), separating syringes and needles (17.1%), during surgical operations (14.2%), and distribution of medications, treatments and recapping of needles (5.7% each). The hands were the most common body parts injured, and the most prevalent pathogens contaminating the instruments causing the injury were HBV, syphilis, HCV and HIV in that order. 3. Of the injured nurses, 77.9% did not report the accident and 25.8% did not receive any treatment because there were no pathogens, it was a bother or there was difficulty reporting the incident. CONCLUSION: To reduce cutaneous injuries, intensive training and supervision may be needed for those of nurses under the age of 25, unmarried and with less than 3 years career experience.
Hand ; HIV ; Human Body ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Needles ; Organization and Administration ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Single Person ; Syphilis ; Syringes

Body surface potential map, an electric potential distribution on the body torso surface, enables us to infer the electrical activities of the heart. Therefore, observing electric potential projected to the torso surface can be highly useful for diagnosing heart diseases such as coronary occlusion. The BSPM for the heart of a patient show a higher level of sensitivity than 12-lead ECG. Relevant research has been mostly based on clinical statistics obtained from patients, and, therefore, a simulation for a variety of pathological phenomena of the heart is required. In this study, by using computer simulation, a body surface potential map was implemented according to various occlusion locations (distal, mid, proximal occlusion) in the left anterior descending coronary artery. Electrophysiological characteristics of the body surface during the ST segment period were observed and analyzed based on an ST isointegral map. We developed an integrated system that takes into account the cellular to organ levels, and performed simulation regarding the electrophysiological phenomena of the heart that occur during the first 5 minutes (stage 1) and 10 minutes (stage 2) after commencement of coronary occlusion. Subsequently, we calculated the bipolar angle and amplitude of the ST isointegral map, and observed the correlation between the relevant characteristics and the location of coronary occlusion. In the result, in the ventricle model during the stage 1, a wider area of ischemia led to counterclockwise rotation of the bipolar angle; and, during the stage 2, the amplitude increased when the ischemia area exceeded a certain size.
Cardiac Electrophysiology* ; Computer Simulation* ; Coronary Occlusion ; Coronary Vessels* ; Electrocardiography ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Electrophysiology ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Torso

No abstract available.
Female* ; Humans ; Prune Belly Syndrome*

Etretinate, an effective retinoid in the treatment of pustular, erythrodermic and chronic plaque type psoriasis, has the disadvantage of a long terminal elimination half-life. On the other hand, acitretin, the active metabolite of etretinate, has much shorter terminal elimination half-life and is being reported as an agent with good antipsoriatic activity by several authors. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acitret.in in comparison with etretinate, we treated 10 patients wit,h acitretin at a dose of 30mg per day and 11 patients with etretinate at a same dose for 12 weeks. The PASI score at 12 week was significantly reduced in each group as compared with baseline PASI score. In the acitretin treated group the initial PASI score of 14.5 reduced to 3.9, while the etretinate group PASI score reduced from 12.0 to 3.1. The PASI score differ ences between the acitretin and etretinate groups at each time during therapy and the end of therapy were not statistically significant. The severity of adverse reactions with acitretin was similar to those with etretinate but their incidence was higher. The change in laboratory parameters in the acitretin group was simlar to that of the etretinate group. In view of these results and the known pharmacokinetic advantage of acitretin, that is the short terminal elimination half-life, it is conceivable that acitretin may be a useful alternative to etretinate in the treatment of psoriasis.
Acitretin* ; Etretinate* ; Half-Life ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Psoriasis*

This study was aimed at finding out whether weight reduction alone can improve liver function in obese patients with fatty liver. We did a longitudinal, clinical intervention study on weight reduction by behavior modification, diet and exercise. The study subjects were 25 patients referred to an obesity clinic in whom obesity is the sole factor causing abnormal liver function and fatty liver. Patients were weighed about one year later. We compared the degree of improvement in hepatic function between Group I that showed weight reduction and Group II that showed no-weight reduction. Group I (13) showed dramatic improvement in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, nearly all down to within normal levels. AST showed statistically significant improvement from 74 +/- 36 IU/l to 25 +/- 7 IU/l. ALT also showed statistically significant improvement from 109 +/- 67 IU/l to 30 +/- 14 IU/l. Group II (12) showed higher AST and ALT levels on follow-up visit than initial visit. AST showed statistically significant elevation from 43 +/- 11 IU/l to 59 +/- 23 IU/l. ALT also showed statistically significant elevation from 64 +/- 21 IU/l to 97 +/- 33 IU/l. If we can rule the other causes of hepatic abnormalities in obese patients with fatty liver, we suggest these patients would benefit by weight reduction.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Alanine Transaminase/metabolism ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism ; Body Weight/physiology ; Comparative Study ; *Diet, Reducing ; Fatty Liver/complications/*diet therapy/physiopathology ; Female ; Human ; Liver/enzymology/*physiopathology ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Middle Age ; Obesity/complications/*diet therapy/physiopathology

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a serious postoperative complication. Prompt diagnosis of PTE is important but it is difficult because clinical manifestations of PTE are not obvious in most cases. A 59 year-old woman received cholecystectomy and choledocholithotomy under general anesthesia. At the 9th postoperative day, syncope, hypoxemia and hypotension were developed suddenly and the patient was transfered to intensive care unit. PTE was suspected with hemodynamic monitoring from pulmonary arterial catheter and echocardiography and diagnosed with lung perfusion scan and venogram of lower extremities. Proper cardiopulmonary support was done and the patient was recovered and discharged in improved condition. In conclusion, if a patient have syncopal attack with shock in postoperative period, PTE must be thought to be an one of possible causes of syncope and thoroughly investigated.
Anesthesia, General ; Anoxia ; Catheters ; Cholecystectomy ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Intensive Care Units ; Lower Extremity ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Perfusion ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Shock ; Syncope

BACKGROUND: Adolescent girls are interested in weight reduction, but effective and adequate education for weight reduction is not done in Korea. And so much information is accepted via mass media. We investigated body image perception, weight control activities and their side effects among adolescent girls. METHODS: We used questionnaire about body image and weight control activities of middle and high school girls in Seoul in Sep. 1995. RESULTS: 88.6% of girls were not satisfied with their own height and 85.1% of girls with their own weight. 66.3% underweight students(BMI<20kg/m2) thought they were too fat and 98% acceptable weight students(20kg/m2<_KBMI<25kg/m2) thought they were too fat. So most girls had body image disturbance. 42.4% of girls were trying to lose weight and 85.1% were trying to lose weight reason for attractiveness and 16.6% were trying to lose for health. Self reported weight reduction methods were exercise(31.6%), fasting(21.9%), diet(21.5%), monodiet(10.8 %), laxatives(2.3%), very low calorie diet(1.8%) etc. Students who tr ied to lose weight for attractiveness selected more undesirable methods than who tried to lose weight for health(P<0.01). Most common route is via magazine, TV and newspaper. 43.4% of girls who tried to lose weight experienced side effects after weight reduction, those were dizziness(71.3%), general weakness(51%), apathy(26.S%) etc. CONCLUSIONS: Most girls had body image distortions. Useless weight reduction activities were done or planned and most of information was accepted via mass media. It is important to educate the girls to get adequate body image and effective weight reduction program is needed for health in adolescent girls.
Adolescent* ; Body Image* ; Education ; Female* ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Media ; Periodicals ; Periodicals as Topic ; Self Report ; Seoul ; Thinness ; Weight Loss ; Weight Perception ; Weight Reduction Programs ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The study was designed to identify the attitude of nursing students to fundamental nursing practice through Q-methodology. A Q sample was developed through a review of the literature and interviews. Forty statements made up the finalized Q-sample. The P sample consisted of 25 nursing students in S College. Q statements were written on separate cards and were given to the 25 subjects to sort according to degree of agreement or disagreement. The Q-sort by each subject was coded and analyzed with QUANL PC Program. The analysis discovered three major attitudes, namely "type 1: passive demand", "type 2: active self-confidence", "type 3: practical application". The correlation was .213 between type 1 and 2, .409 between type 1 and 3, .379 between t ype 2 and 3. The results revealed three different types of fundamental nursing practice attitude; 1) Passive demand type: they were not satisfied with fundamental nursing practice time, the number of persons, practice machines. They presented anxiety and worry through fundamental nursing practice. Therefore, they will presenta passive attitude of clinical practice experience. 2) Active self-confidence type: they experienced pride as a nursing student and fascination as a nurse was an acquired recognition. 3) Practical application type: they practiced that fundamental nursing skill was applied their family and oneself. Therefore they had tension through initial fundamental nursing practice but they gained self-confidence and interest through practical study. In conclusion, the researchers suggest that the education program would be more effective if it was planned considering to each types of attitude of nursing students for fundamental nursing practice.
Anxiety ; Education ; Humans ; Nursing* ; Q-Sort ; Students, Nursing

The study was designed to identify the attitude of nursing students to fundamental nursing practice through Q-methodology. A Q sample was developed through a review of the literature and interviews. Forty statements made up the finalized Q-sample. The P sample consisted of 25 nursing students in S College. Q statements were written on separate cards and were given to the 25 subjects to sort according to degree of agreement or disagreement. The Q-sort by each subject was coded and analyzed with QUANL PC Program. The analysis discovered three major attitudes, namely "type 1: passive demand", "type 2: active self-confidence", "type 3: practical application". The correlation was .213 between type 1 and 2, .409 between type 1 and 3, .379 between t ype 2 and 3. The results revealed three different types of fundamental nursing practice attitude; 1) Passive demand type: they were not satisfied with fundamental nursing practice time, the number of persons, practice machines. They presented anxiety and worry through fundamental nursing practice. Therefore, they will presenta passive attitude of clinical practice experience. 2) Active self-confidence type: they experienced pride as a nursing student and fascination as a nurse was an acquired recognition. 3) Practical application type: they practiced that fundamental nursing skill was applied their family and oneself. Therefore they had tension through initial fundamental nursing practice but they gained self-confidence and interest through practical study. In conclusion, the researchers suggest that the education program would be more effective if it was planned considering to each types of attitude of nursing students for fundamental nursing practice.
Anxiety ; Education ; Humans ; Nursing* ; Q-Sort ; Students, Nursing

BACKGROUND: Today, patients with fatty liver have increased by several factors. Some patients with fatty liver have abnormal liver function tests, by the way they have interpreted unwisely and made wrong therapeutic approach about abnoimal liver function tests. So we conducted this study to evaluate the factors related to patients with fatty liver and make basic concept for management. METHODS: We selected 96 patients(71 men, 25 women) who were diagnosed as fatty liver by ultrasound in Asan Medical Health Examination Center, also selected 91 controls(68 men, 23 women) who had similar sex and age distribution from January to December, 1993. We excluded toxic and viral hepatitis cases or patients. We surveyed by questionnaires that composed of 3 day-dietary diary and life style. Nutrient and alcohol intakes were analyzed by nutrient-analysis program that was derivated from Food Composition Table, and we analyzed several biochemical variables. RESULTS: There were 71 men and 25 women with fatty liver, 68 men and 23 women in controls. In cases of men, the mean age was 47 years-old in patient group, 44 years-old in control group. The obesity index was 112.7% in patients, 102.6% in controls, the mean level of triglyceride was 205mg/dl in patients, 150mg/dl in controls. The mean level of serum HDL-C was 46mg/dl in patients, 50mg/dl in controls(p<0.05). The frequency of obesity was 66.2% in patients, 27.9% in controls, hypertriglyceridemia was 42.3% in patients, 22.1% in controls(p<0.05). The frequency of patients who had increased AST was 26.8% in patients, 11.8% in controls, and the frequency of patients or cases who had increased ALT was 26.8%, in patients, 7.4% in controls(p<0.05). There were no significant statistical differences in the nutrient intakes, alcohol drinking and exercise between the male patients and controls. In cases of women, the mean age was 53 years in patient gr oup or among patients, 51 years in controls. The obesity index was 112.2% in patients, 102.1% in controls, and the mean level of serum triglyceride was 198.3mg/dl in patients, 136.4mg/dl in controls(p<0.05). The frequency of obesity was 76.0% in patients, 30.4% in controls, and the frequency of hypertriglyceridemia was 36.0% in patients, 13.0% in controls. There were statistically significant differences in the frequency of obesity and hypertriglyceridemia between patients and controls(p<0,05). There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of increased AST and ALT, nutrient intakes, alcohol drinking, and excercise between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: The fatty liver disease was attributed either to obesity or hypertriglyceridemia. Therefore, it is very important to control of weight and hypertriglyceridemia in the management of patients with fatty liver.
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Alcohol Drinking ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Fatty Liver* ; Female ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; Life Style ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; Triglycerides ; Ultrasonography ; Surveys and Questionnaires