No abstract available.
Cross Infection* ; Infection Control*

BACKGROUND: The ultimate goal of hospital infection control is to decrease the hospital infections. The change of hospital infections were depended closely to the healthcare workers' infection control practice keeping the infection control polices as recommendations. This study tried to measure the knowledge of nurses about the evidence based guidelines of hospital infection control to analysis the variables to impact on their knowledge, and to identify whether evaluation indexes for hospital infection effect on their knowledge. METHODS: Questionnaire survey was done nationally to 32 general hospitals over 300 beds from August 4, 2003 to the end of December. Only 12 hospitals that over about 10% of total nurses participated in this survey were included in this analysis. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS 12.0 for Windows PC (Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The mean scores of hospital evaluation indexes of 12 hospitals were in mid range, and the scores of nurses' knowledge about the hospital infection control guidelines were in mid range. By multiple regression analysis and univariate analysis, nurses' knowledge of infection control was found to be strongly associated with every year attendance on infection control education. Hand hygiene evaluation index, infection control for health care workers index and total sum of evaluation indexes were significant to the nurses' knowledge. CONCLUSION: The significant variable to the nurses' knowledge of hospital infection control was identified as an annual education attendance. The education about hospital infection control should be done mandatory to nurses' education programs every year.
Cross Infection ; Delivery of Health Care ; Education ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Hand Hygiene ; Hospitals, General* ; Infection Control* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyse the activities and status of infection control nurses (ICNs) and the trends of them since the first full-time ICN had been appointed in 1991. METHODS: Questionaries were mailed to 164 general hospitals with more than 300 beds. 85 hospitals were responded (51.8%) from 17June to 11 November 2003. RESULT: Full-time ICN was employed in 37.5%, 88.8% hospitals employed only one ICN regardless full-time or part-time ICN. ICNs spent time on surveillance (40.7%), teaching (29.4%), and meeting et al (30.3%). Surveillance was practice (67.5%), but surgical site surveillance was done in 12.1%. Personal characteristics and IC activities were significantly different between full-time and part-time ICNs. No of ICNs were increased by the national regulation and policy making. ICNs have improved the efficacy of infection control (IC) and abolished many wasteful ICs, The intensity of surveillance and the number of hospitals keep on hospital environmental control guidelines were increased. CONCLUSION: The number of ICNs was lower than 1980s' recommendation. The regulation on the ratio of ICN to beds should be added. The general features and activities of ICNs have been improved since 1991. However, to step up IC, the reward and support systems for ICN should be established.
Cross Infection ; Hospitals, General* ; Humans ; Infection Control* ; Policy Making ; Postal Service ; Reward

BACKGROUND: Health care workers (HCWs) are exposed to patients' blood occupationally by needlesticks or sharps injuries and by direct contact to mucous membranes or skins. This study was performed to investigate actively the descriptive epidemiology of HCWs' blood exposures in a University Hospital in Korea. METHODS: Over a 5 year period (from Jan, 1996 to Dec. 31, 2000), in a acute, educational, tertiary and about 1,500 beds university hospital, blood exposure episodes were reported by HCWs. The reported cases of 532 were analysed epidemiologically and statistically using PC SAS 6.12. RESULTS: The proportions of male and female were 44.0% (234), 56.0% (298) respectively the mean age was 29.2 years and the mode of career was 12 months. Distributions by job titles were 44.9% (239/532) in doctors' 29.5% (157/532) in registered nurses' 9.0% (48/532) in aid nurses, 6.4%(34/532) in housekeepers and 4.3%(23/532) in technicians. The proportions per 100 HCWs by job category were 4.4%(239/5,489) in doctors, 3.7%(157/4,262) in registered nurses and 1.3%(23/ 1,786) in technicians. and that per 100 beds was 6.8% (529/7,730). Distribution of reported cases were 13.0% (69/532), 11.5% (61/532), 9.2%(49/532) in March, April and May respectively. The major type of exposure was percutaneous injuries (96.3%, 513/533), and the most of them was needlesticks (91.4%, 469/513). The largest number of blood exposures occurred in inpatient ward(48.4%, 257/532) and the most injured body part was fingers (782%, 412/527), especially 1st finger (25%, 84/332). Blood exposure accidents were occurred during invasive procedures(66.3%, 341/514) and most of them were blood sampling(22.9%, 78/341) and recapping(20.8%, 71/341). Hepatitis B virus was the major bloodborne pathogens of reported cases (55.8%. 293/525). Post exposure prophylaxis and follow up were done for susceptible person but the seroposive conversions in them were not found. The association between job categories and exposure types and that between job titles and occurrence places were significant statistically(CMH chi-square p=0.001). The reporting cases of HBV exposures were decreased but those of HIV exposures were increased annually during the study period. CONCLUSION: We could find the descriptive epidemiology of Hews' occupational exposures to blood in a university hospital in Korea. And we can support the data in order to establish the policy or act for HCWs' safety and health from the boodborne hazards. In addition, to confirm the preventive effects of infection control activities for Hews from the risk of bloodborne diseases.
Blood-Borne Pathogens ; Cross Infection ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B virus ; HIV ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; Needlestick Injuries ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupations ; Post-Exposure Prophylaxis ; Skin

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+/-15.1 years. 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.
Adult ; Cross Infection/*prevention & control ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Emergency Medical Services ; Female ; Hand Hygiene ; Health Personnel/*psychology ; Humans ; *Infection Control ; Male ; Medical Waste Disposal ; Middle Aged ; Protective Devices ; Republic of Korea ; Self Report ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No Abstract available.
Infection Control* ; Seoul*

No Abstract available.
Infection Control* ; Seoul*

BACKGROUND: This was concerned with outbreak investigation of the epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) which occurred from April to May 1996 in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Seoul National University Hospital in Seoul, Korea. METHOD: We defined the cases by the clinical signs and symptoms and investigated the possible risk factors of this outbreak by case-control analysis. RESULTS: The number of total cases were 17, including neonates (10 cases) and health care workers (7 cases), The index case was thought to be infected by his family, while the other cases may have been transmitted through contact with nurses who cared for or fed the index case. There were no statistically significant differences between case and non-case (control) neonates. However, for nurses, the total amounts of time spent working in the hospital and in the NICU were identified as significant factors. And the incidence of EKC was higher in the nurses who contacted neonates with EKC more frequently. CONCLUSION: According to our contact precautions, we enforced cohort isolation and emphasized strict hand washing and aseptic technique to the health care workers. All of the equipment, especially eye dips used by the cases, was disinfected or sterilized. Fortunately this outbreak ended after about one week when we recognized and started to investigate this outbreak.
Case-Control Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Hand Disinfection ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Keratoconjunctivitis* ; Korea ; Risk Factors ; Seoul

A case of adenocarcinoma of cystic duct associated with GB empyema is presented. A 72 year old male was admitted to Kwangju Christian hospital because of abdominal pain in right upper quadrant for 4 days. He underwent explolaparotomy under the impression of GB empyema or GB cancer. For seeking causative factor of GB empyema, serial sections of cystic duct and mapping were performed. We can find adenocarcinoma of cystic duct in the specimen removed at cholecystectomy. The criteria for disgnosis of cystie duct carcinoma which was outlined by Farrar. These criteria are; 1) The growth must be restricted to the cystic duct, 2) There is no neoplastic process in the gall bladder, hepatic and common bile duct. 3) Histopathological examination must be comfirm carcinoma. Here we report a case of adenocarcinoma of cystic duct associated with GB empyema with brief review of Literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Adenocarcinoma* ; Aged ; Cholecystectomy ; Common Bile Duct ; Cystic Duct* ; Empyema* ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Male ; Urinary Bladder

PURPOSE: We reviewed 5 years worth of experience with peritoneal drainage and dialysis in infants who underwent open heart surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of peritoneal drainage and peritoneal dialysis on fluid balance and several parameters of intensive care. METHODS: Six(10%) of 60 consecutive infants who underwent open heart surgery required peritoneal dialysis during peritoneal drainage. Simple peritoneal drainage was performed in the remaining 54 infants. The silicone rubber peritoneal dialysis catheter was inserted into the center of abdominal cavity just after operation, and subsequent peritoneal drainage was maintained during intensive care. RESULTS: Mean age of the study group was 0.48+/-0.21 years(M: F=32: 28). Early postoperative mortality amang the infants with congenital heart disease was 1.6%. Total amount of output was 7.0+/-2.28mL/kg/hr, urine output 5.14+/-2.9lmL/kg/hr, pleural fluid 0.80+/-0.5lmL/kg/hr, and peritoneal fluid 1.20+/-0.90mL/kg/hr. The ratio of output to intake(O/I) was 1.06. None of the complications required early termination of peritoneal drainage or peritoneal dialysis. Hemodynamics and pulmonary function were maintained steadily during postoperative intensive care. CONCLUSION: The early institution of peritoneal drainage and peritoneal dialysis in infants with congenital heart disease after cardiac operations not only removes fluid, thus easing fluid restriction, but may also improve cardiopulmonary function.
Abdominal Cavity ; Ascitic Fluid ; Catheters ; Dialysis ; Drainage* ; Heart Defects, Congenital* ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Infant* ; Critical Care ; Mortality ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Silicone Elastomers ; Thoracic Surgery ; Water-Electrolyte Balance