PURPOSE: To investigate the perception and barriers of Kangaroo-Mother Care (KMC) among nurses in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). METHODS: Participants were 131 nurses working in NICU who completed self-report questionnaires which included information regarding perception, barriers, and practice of KMC. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 program for descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Of the participants, 33.6% reported the practice of KMC in their NICU, with 75.6% wanting to receive training in KMC and 31.3% having received KMC education. Most of the participants agreed that KMC enhances attachment, parental confidence, and effective breast feeding but they reported a negative perception in providing KMC for premature infants weighing less than 1000 grams or intubated premature infants. Major barriers to practicing KMC were safety of infants, possible work overload for nurses, as well as absence of consistent guidelines. Barriers to KMC among nurses who received the KMC training were lower than nurses who did not receive the KMC training (t=-2.11, p=.037). CONCLUSION: Education program and standardized clinical practice protocol should be developed to foster the positive perception and to reduce nurse barriers to KMC.
Breast Feeding ; Education ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care Units ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Kangaroo-Mother Care Method* ; Parents

PURPOSE: This study was amied to identify the effects of a 12 week Korean traditional dance movement program on balance, depression, medical cost, medical institution's utilization and fall among elderly women. METHODS: Using a quasi-experimental design, the experimental group was composed of 130 subjects and the control group was composed of 123 subjects. The experimental group participated in a 12 week Korean traditional dance movement program 3 times a week from December 2002 to February 2003. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, paired t-test and t-test. RESULTS: There was siginificant improvement in balance(right leg p=.000, left leg p=.004), depression(p=.000), and the medical institution's utilization(p=.001) and fall(p=.002) in the experimental group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: A Korean traditional dance movement program improved balance, depression, and decreased fall and medical cost in elderly women. Therefore, we recommend this program be utilized as a health promoting program and falls preventing program for the elderly in the community.
*Musculoskeletal Equilibrium ; Middle Aged ; Korea ; Humans ; Female ; Depressive Disorder/*psychology ; *Dance Therapy ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aged ; Accidental Falls/*prevention & control

Idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy is localized detachment of the neurosensory retina in the macula which is commonly seen. However extensive sensory retinal detachment of the posterior role and multiple leaking points are rare characteristics of idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy. Idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy with bullous retinal detachment is frequently misdiagnosed and treated improperly. The authors experienced a case of atypical type of idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy that has bullous retinal detachment and multiple Ieaking points in the both eyes.
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy* ; Retina ; Retinal Detachment* ; Retinaldehyde*

BACKGROUND: Pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic cholecystectomy induces prompt hemodynamic changes. The rapid onset of these changes suggests a neurohumoral response. The present study investigated the effects of pneumoperitoneum on plasma catecholamines and vasopressin during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: We studied 18 healthy patients under general anesthesia using a isoflurane and nitrous oxide (50%). In our study, nine patients were selected for Group LC; they underwent the laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The remaining nine patients constituting Group OS served as the control, and underwent minor orthopedic surgery. Venous blood samples were collected 10 minutes after the induction of anesthesia, as well as 10 minutes after the insufflation of pneumoperitoneum or skin incision, and 10 minutes after desufflation of pneumoperitoneum or skin closure. Plasma vasopressin was measured using a radioimmunoassay method. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine were measured using the method of high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: In Group LC, the plasma concentration of vasopressin increased remarkably from 2.1 pg/ml to 70.7 pg/ml after insufflation of pneumoperitoneum, and declined to 18.3 pg/ml after desufflation (P < 0.05). Plasma concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine also increased significantly after insufflation of pneumoperitoneum (P < 0.05). In Group OS, however, plasma concentrations of vasopressin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine remained stable throughout the operation. CONCLUSIONS: The pneumoperitoneum resulted in a substantial increase of plasma concentrations of vasopressin as well as a signifiant increase in the plasma concentration of epinephrine and norepinephrine during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Catecholamines* ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Epinephrine ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Insufflation ; Isoflurane ; Nitrous Oxide ; Norepinephrine ; Orthopedics ; Plasma* ; Pneumoperitoneum* ; Radioimmunoassay ; Skin ; Vasopressins*

BACKGROUND: Succinylcholine is metabolized by plasma cholinesterase (PChE). When it was pretreated by small doses of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants in order to minimize the side effects, there are evidences to be associated with alteration in the duration of action. This study is investigated whether the responses would be related to the enzymatic activities. METHODS: In 21 adult patients, ASA class I or II, PChE levels were measured by the modified Garry method after induction of anesthesia (control value) and at 3, 10, 20 and 30 min following administration of pancuronium 0.1 mg/kg, vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg and atracurium 0.5 mg/kg. Data were expressed as mean (SEM). RESULTS: The levels of PChE were significantly lower (p<0.05) than the control values at 3, 10, 20 and 30 min after given pancuronium as 4764 (270), 4777 (261), 4796 (306) and 4740 (332) IU/L respectively and after given vecuronium as 5004 (341), 5051 (329), 4969 (340) and 4960 (340) IU/L respectively whereas enzyme levels after given atracurium were not significant differences to compare the control values as 5153 (336), 5136 (320) 5124 (312) and 5151 (275) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of present study show that both pancuronium and vecuronium may possibly inhibit PChE activity but this was not affected by atracurium.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Atracurium* ; Cholinesterases* ; Humans ; Pancuronium* ; Plasma* ; Succinylcholine ; Vecuronium Bromide*

BACKGROUND: Pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic cholecystectomy induces prompt hemodynamic changes. The rapid onset of these changes suggests a neurohumoral response. The present study investigated the effects of pneumoperitoneum on plasma catecholamines and vasopressin during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: We studied 18 healthy patients under general anesthesia using a isoflurane and nitrous oxide (50%). In our study, nine patients were selected for Group LC; they underwent the laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The remaining nine patients constituting Group OS served as the control, and underwent minor orthopedic surgery. Venous blood samples were collected 10 minutes after the induction of anesthesia, as well as 10 minutes after the insufflation of pneumoperitoneum or skin incision, and 10 minutes after desufflation of pneumoperitoneum or skin closure. Plasma vasopressin was measured using a radioimmunoassay method. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine were measured using the method of high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: In Group LC, the plasma concentration of vasopressin increased remarkably from 2.1 pg/ml to 70.7 pg/ml after insufflation of pneumoperitoneum, and declined to 18.3 pg/ml after desufflation (P < 0.05). Plasma concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine also increased significantly after insufflation of pneumoperitoneum (P < 0.05). In Group OS, however, plasma concentrations of vasopressin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine remained stable throughout the operation. CONCLUSIONS: The pneumoperitoneum resulted in a substantial increase of plasma concentrations of vasopressin as well as a signifiant increase in the plasma concentration of epinephrine and norepinephrine during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Catecholamines* ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Epinephrine ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Insufflation ; Isoflurane ; Nitrous Oxide ; Norepinephrine ; Orthopedics ; Plasma* ; Pneumoperitoneum* ; Radioimmunoassay ; Skin ; Vasopressins*

PURPOSE: This study was a within subject repeated pretest-posttest design done to compare the effect of disinfection and the degree of MRSA(Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) isolation from hand disinfectant in ICU nurses. METHOD: Out of the total internal medicine/surgery ICU nurses at a university hospital in Seoul, 29 female nurses who were participating in direct patient care were participants in this study. After collection of samples, Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA were isolated from the palms, nails and nasal cavities of the nurses according to disinfectants (soap and beta-scrub). RESULTS: The effect of disinfection was greater in the beta-scrub group than in the soap group, and the effect of disinfection on palms was higher in the beta-scrub group than in the soap group. As for the degree of MRSA isolation, there was more isolation in palms in the soap group than in the beta-scrub group but there was no difference in the degree of MRSA isolation from the hand disinfectant in nails and nasal cavities. CONCLUSION: Beta-scrub showed a superior prolonged effect against transient bacteria compared with soap. Further, to reduce MRSA infection, we recommend interventions focused on these aspects.
Bacteria ; Disinfectants ; Disinfection* ; Female ; Hand* ; Humans ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* ; Nasal Cavity ; Patient Care ; Seoul ; Soaps ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus

Meridian massage is originated from oriental medical manipulation, and it has been mainly applied to as pain and paralysis. The purpose was to develop new method of nursing care for help hemiplegic patients to recover their functions of upper limbs and to reduce depressions. This study was carried out between 8. March, and 8. June. 2000 and the subjects of the study were .60 hemiplegic stroke patients who were participants at a hospitalized in K oriental medical center. The experimental group(30) and the control group(30) were assigned by means of participation order. The experimental group took meridian massage on affected upper limb for 10 minutes daily for 2 weeks. We evaluated muscle power and endurance with band from AVIVA company.: range of motion with goniometer: shoulder pain with visual analogue scale: swelling with Jeweiers ring measurement of Dirette: depression with self-rating depression scale translated into Korean by Yang(1982). Data were analyzed by SPSS PC and the results are described below. The experimental group showed better muscle power and endurance than control group. Range of motiont of affected shoulder improved significantly in experimental group. Also, the experimental group showed less shoulder pain. hand edema. depression than control group. In this study, we observed that meridian massage is an effective nursing care in improving the function of upper limb and managing depression of stroke patients.
Depression* ; Edema ; Hand ; Humans ; Massage* ; Nursing Care ; Paralysis ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Pain ; Stroke ; Upper Extremity*

PURPOSE: To understand the essentials of rearing conflict experience by three shift nurses in advanced general hospitals. METHODS: The design was a qualitative research of phenomenology. Participants were 7 shift nurses working in advanced general hospitals who were rearing young children. Data were collected individually through in-depth interview on their life experiences. Data were analyzed by Colaizzi's phenomenological methodology. RESULTS: Eighteen themes were drawn from 256 meaningful experiences and these themes were integrated to six theme clusters. The most influencing themes were ‘Regret that I cannot satisfy even the slightest wish’, ‘Fail to care for kids’, and ‘Mutual feeling to care giver between appreciation and inconvenience’. Other themes were as follows: ‘Body and mind are broken’, ‘The need for a three-shift system to support nurses who are rearing children’, ‘Doing my best for work and child rearing’. CONCLUSION: The nature of three-shift nurses working in advanced hospital and caring kids is explained as ‘lives with conflict’ between work and home. This study suggests it is necessary to establish a 24-hour care center for 3-shift nurses to keep working while rearing their children.
Caregivers ; Child ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Life Change Events ; Qualitative Research

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the mammographic and sonographic appearances of metaplastic carcinoma of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mammographic and sonographic findings in eight female patients (aged: 28-78 years, mean: 50.3 years) with pathologically proven metaplastic cancer were analyzed retrospectively by three radiologists. We analyzed the size, density, shape, margin, associated architectural distortion, calcification in the mass and enlarged lymph node at the axilla, on the mammograms. We also analyzed the shape, margin and echogenicity of the lesions on the sonograms. RESULTS: On mammography, irregular (n=4), lobular (n=2) or oval (n=2) shaped high density masses were found. The margins of the masses were indistinct (n=4) or obscured (n=3). There were architectural distortions in three cases and pleomorphic calcifications in two cases. On sonography, irregular (n=5) or oval (n=3) shaped masses with microlobulated margins were found. The echopatterns of the masses were complex (n=5) or hypoechoic (n=3). CONCLUSION: The mammographic and sonographic findings of metaplastic carcinoma of the breast are nonspecific and similar to those of other forms of breast cancer. However, this type of tumor should be included in the differential diagnosis for breast masses which appear as an irregular or oval shape with a microlobulated margin and a complex or hypoechoic echopattern on sonography.
Axilla ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Mammography ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography*