BACKGROUND: The shelf life should be determined by health care facility's infection control program. The current standards for preserving the sterility can be changing. So, to measure and compare the recontamination time of sterile packs among wrappers and storage conditions, and develop a practical standard for the shelf life and storage conditions of sterile products. The purpose of this study was placed on measurement of the recontamination time in packs wrapped in all kinds of wrapping materials used in Il-San hospital and extra-costs. METHODS: The first phase study was from June to November 2002 and tile second phase study was planned to extend further the shelf life of the pouch bag from December 2002 to June 2003. Total 504 sterile sample packs containing cotton ball (5 cm-length) prepared and wrapped in four wrapping materials (randomized reprocessed two folds of lines, a fold of new craft paper, a fold of new nonwoven fabric, a fold of new pouch bag) and stored in three location (open shell of one of typical wards, open shelf of one of ICUs, open shelf of CSSD). Each type of packs were opened weekly and the cotton balls inoculated into thioglycollate broth at 35degrees C for seven days by infection control nurse. The temperature and relative humidity was monitored monthly. RESULTS: There was on growth found for any types of the pack and storage conditions studied. The temperature and relative humidity of storage locations were 24.8degrees C and 35.5 %. The extra-cost of reprocessing in Ethylene-Oxide gas sterilization was \32,800,000 and Steam sterilization was \36,900,000 by year. CONCLUSION: This study was conducted in attempt to identify the possibility of extending the current shelf life for sterile goods we use in a sense of cost effectiveness. It was possible to extend shelf life from four weeks to six months in the study hospital. We are going to continue this study and take all steps need to apply this new concept to our practice, and then trying to extend to other hospitals.
Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Costs and Cost Analysis* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humidity ; Infection Control ; Infertility ; Steam ; Sterilization

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide baseline data on paid hospital-caregivers' work performance, degree of importance of caregiving, and their knowledge as well as affecting factors on the level of practice when there is no guardian. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 155 total caregivers working at 9 hospitals. Data were collected by self-reported questionnaires in December, 2010. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 17.0. RESULTS: The caregivers' level of practice showed 4.0/5.0 points, degree of importance, 4.4/5.0 points, and knowledge, 4.3/5.0 points. The level of practice was significantly different depending on the hospital types. Significant correlations were found between level of practice, degree of importance and knowledge. The degree of importance and types of hospital attributed to 17.1% of variance in the level of practice. CONCLUSION: A systematic hospital caregivers' program focusing on strategy to enhance caregivers' level of practice, degree of importance and knowledge can be effective for paid hospital-caregivers when there is no guardian.
Caregivers ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: When going into the intensive care unit (ICU), health care workers (HCWs) and visitors are required to put on cover-gowns and change into slippers, which is considered by some hospitals as one of the customary infection control practices. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cover-gowns and slippers in reducing nosocomial infections in the medical ICU (MICU). METHODS: The study was carried out in four periods. In the period-I (January to June, 2002), all HCWs and visitors put on cover-gowns when entering the MICU, but not in the period-II (July to December, 2002). They were required to change into slippers in the period-III (January to April, 2004), but not in the period-IV (May to August, 2004). RESULTS: Nosocomial infection rates during the period-I and period-II were 14.8 and 12.6 per 100 discharges (P>0.05) or 14.1 and 13.6 per 1,000 patient days (P>0.05), respectively. During the period-III and period-IV respective infection rates were 9.4 and 12.6 (P>0.05) or 10.2 and 15.7 (P>0.05). There were no statistical differences in device utilization ratios, device-associated infection rates, and site of infections (P>0.05) between the periods of I and II or between the periods of III and IV. CONCLUSION: These results showed that the intervention of cover-gown and slipper change is a non-effective factor in reducing nosocomial infections in the MICU; therefore, the infection control practice of cover-gown and slipper changes for HCWs and visitors entering the ICU should be eliminated.
Cross Infection* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care*

No Abstract available.
Chungcheongnam-do* ; Infection Control*

PURPOSE: The objective of the present study was to develop and evaluate a legal communicable diseases (LCDs) electronic system for infection control. METHOD: The system was developed through the procedure of analysis, design, implementation, application and evaluation, and was applied within an OCS (order communication system). RESULTS: As indicated by the main menu, the present system is composed of an improved perception system for enhancing perception of LCDs, LCDs identification system, and improved efficiency in the report system. Detailed items included in the main menu are introduction and log-in screen, pop-up window for checking the outbreaks of LCDs, decision making icon, electronic signature icon, electronic report form, email system, etc. The total number of reports was greater after the application of the system (n=99) than before (n=80), and the adequacy of report time was statistically significantly higher after application of the system (P<0.05) CONCLUSION: The present system suggests a new method for LCDs report and infection control, and is expected to be adopted by other medical institutions in the future.
Communicable Disease Control ; Communicable Diseases ; Decision Making ; Disease Outbreaks ; Electronic Mail ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Infection Control ; Nitriles ; Pyrethrins

PURPOSE: To determine whether the practice of not routinely changing ventilator circuits in patients who require prolonged mechanical ventilation is associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). METHODS: Patients were divided into two groups, ventilator circuits were routinely changed every 7 days for the control group (39) and every 14 days for the experimental group (40) over a period of 1 yr (April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010). Pediatric patients (age 17 yr or less) were not included. VAP was diagnosed by the criteria of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Incidence of VAP and characteristics of infection were evaluated. RESULTS: In the experimental group, 2 episodes of pneumonia were observed in 40 patients and 1,322 ventilator days. The rate of VAP was 1.5 per 1,000 ventilator days. There was 1 episode of pneumonia in 39 patients and 481 ventilator days for the control group. The rate of VAP was 2.1 per 1,000 ventilator days. The difference between both groups was not significant (p=.695). CONCLUSION: Extending ventilator circuit change interval from 7 days to 14 days does not increase the risk for VAP.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated/*epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Sputum/microbiology ; Time Factors ; Ventilators, Mechanical

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of preventing CAUTIs through the practice of using 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) versus normal saline for perineal care in ICU patients. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was used, and participants were randomly allocated to either the CHG group (n=79) or normal saline group (n=81). CAUTI was diagnosed following the criteria of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Incidence of CAUTI and characte oftics of infection were evaluated. RESULTS: In the CHG group, 8 epofodes of CAUTI were obsevend in 79 patients and 875 foley catheter e ys. Tnce ate of CAUTI was 9.14 per 1,000 foley catheter e ys. Tncre were 2 epofodes of CAUTI in the 81 patients and 837 foley catheter e ys of the normal saline group. Tnce ate of CAUTI was 2.39 per 1,000 foley catheter e ys. Tnc difference between both groups was not significant (p=.1). CONCLUSION: Using normal saline to provide perineal care to ICU patients with a foley catheter inserted will not increase the risk for CAUTI.
Catheterization ; Catheters ; Chlorhexidine ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infection Control ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract is the most common site of nosocomial infections, accounting for 35% of all nosocomial infections. About 80-90% of these urinary tract infections are associated with urethral catheter insertion. Recently, we experienced an outbreak of nosocomial UTI (urinary tract infection) caused by Candida spp. in the surgical ICU (SICU) and we investigated the cause of UTI outbreak. METHODS: We collected data from clinical records and observed the current methods of care of urethral catheters in the SlCU. During the outbreak, we investigated the current procedures and maintenance care of urethral catheter insertion and educated the staff on the correct methods of the catheter insertion and care. We performed surveillance cultures of unused new urine bags, RESULTS: Between May 2000 and June 2000, 17 Candida spp. strains were isolated from urines of 17 patients hospitalized in the SICU of National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital. All infections were attributed to the care of urethral catheter insertion and contaminated bags. We identified that routine bladder irrigation and emptying urine to a common urinal have been done incorrectly during the outbreak period. Rodotorula spp. was isolated from 4 urine bags (50% contamination rate) out of 8 unused new urine bags by surveillance cultures. CONCLUSION: The causes of the UTI outbreak caused by Candida spp. was terminated by outbreak investigation and change of contaminated urine bag.
Candida* ; Catheters ; Cross Infection ; Humans ; National Health Programs ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Catheters ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract*

PURPOSE: To develop a web-based program on blood-borne infection control and to examine the effect of the newly developed program on perceived threat of diseases, knowledge, preventive health behaviors for blood-borne infections, and incidence rates of accidental needle sticks and other sharp object injuries in nurses. METHODS: The program was developed through the processes of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The research design involved a nonequivalent control group for pretest and posttest experiments. The setting was a 745-bed general hospital located in Korea. RESULTS: The program was designed and developed after consulting previous studies. After development of the program was completed, it was evaluated and revised by a panel of experts. The total score for perceived threat of diseases, knowledge, preventive health behaviors in the experimental group was significantly higher compared to the control group (p<.05). The incidence rates for needle sticks and other sharp object injuries in the experimental group were significantly lower compared to the control group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Application of a Web-based, blood-borne infection control program is effective, and can be expanded to other healthcare workers who also have a high risk of blood-borne infections.
Adult ; *Blood-Borne Pathogens ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Infection Control/*methods ; *Internet ; Needlestick Injuries ; Nursing Staff, Hospital/education/*psychology ; Occupational Exposure/*prevention & control ; Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare 1% chlorhexidine-gluconate/61% ethanol (CHG/Ethanol) emollient and 7.5% povidone-iodine (PVI) scrub for antimicrobial,residual effect, and skin condition. METHOD: CHG/Ethanol emollient hand hygiene was performed waterless, and brushless by operating doctors and nurses (N=20). PVI hand washing was performed with water and a brush (N=20) for 5 min. The subjects were asked to press their left hand in hand-shaped agar before a surgical scrub, immediately after a surgical scrub and after the operation. The amount of isolated microorganisms were calculated by counting the number of divided areas(1 X 1 cm, 160 cell) which were culture positive in the hand culture plate. The skin condition was evaluated. RESULT: The antimicrobial count of CHG/Ethanol emollient and PVI immediately post surgical scrub was 0.0 vs. 4.1 (p>.05), and after the operation was 0.1 vs. 37.8 (p>.05)respectively. The Residual effect of CHG/Ethanol emollient immediately post surgical scrub and after the operation were 0.0 vs. 0.1 (p>.05), and PVI were 4.1 vs. 37.8 (p>.05)respectively. The skin condition and satisfaction of CHG/Ethanol emollient was higher than PVI (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The antimicrobial effect between CHG/Ethanol emollient and PVI were the same. Considering skin condition, satisfaction and allergic reaction CHG/Ethanol emollient for surgical scrub is recommended in Korea.
Adult ; Anti-Infective Agents/*pharmacology ; Chlorhexidine/*analogs & derivatives/chemistry/pharmacology ; Colony Count, Microbial ; Ethanol/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Female ; Handwashing ; Humans ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Povidone-Iodine/chemistry/*pharmacology