PURPOSE: This study was to examine the effects of supportive nursing care on surgical patients in the operating room. METHOD: This study was nonequivalent control group none-synchronized design. The data were collected during the period of July 26 through October 8, 1999 at K hospital in Kwangju. The subjects for the study were selected from those patients who were admitted to K hospital for abdominal surgery. Forty-eight adult subjects were selected and evenly divided into two groups: 24 for the experimental group and the other 24 for the control group, respectively. The tool used for measuring state and trait anxiety was the one originally worked out by Spilberger(1976), and translated by Kim Jung-Taek and Shin Dong-Kyun(1978) for suitable application for Koreans. Data were analyzed by x2-test, t-test, Chronbach's alpha coefficient using SAS/PC+. RESULT: Results were as follows: 1. The degree of State anxiety was found to be lower in the experimental group who received supportive nursing care in the operating room immediately before an operation than the control group who did not."(p<.001). 2.There was no significant difference on the post-test blood pressure and pulse rate immediately before operation between the two groups(p>.05). CONCLUSION: Results of the above study reveals that the supportive nursing care in the operating room is effective in alleviating the anxiety of patients. I suggest that it is highly desirable to apply supportive nursing care for those patients who are waiting for immediate surgery.
Adult ; Anxiety* ; Blood Pressure ; Gwangju ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Nursing Care* ; Nursing* ; Operating Rooms*

Chusid et al proposed diagnostic criteria of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) that remain valid today. These were, (1) a sustained peripheral blood eosinophil count of more than 1500/L present for longer than 6 months ; (2) no evidence of other apparent causes for eosinophilia, and (3) presumptive signs of parenchymal organ involvement. Any organ system may be affected in HES, but the most severe clinicopathological involvements are of the heart and nervous system. Although multiple organ systems may be involved, the most common cause of morbidity and mortality is cardiac involvement with extensive fibrous thickening of the endomyocardium and overlying thrombus. We report a case of acute peri-myocarditis with eosinophilia, which was confirmed as eosinophilic myocarditis by endomyocardial biopsy, with literature review.
Biopsy ; Edema* ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Heart ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; Mortality ; Myocarditis* ; Nervous System ; Thrombosis

Chusid et al proposed diagnostic criteria of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) that remain valid today. These were, (1) a sustained peripheral blood eosinophil count of more than 1500/L present for longer than 6 months ; (2) no evidence of other apparent causes for eosinophilia, and (3) presumptive signs of parenchymal organ involvement. Any organ system may be affected in HES, but the most severe clinicopathological involvements are of the heart and nervous system. Although multiple organ systems may be involved, the most common cause of morbidity and mortality is cardiac involvement with extensive fibrous thickening of the endomyocardium and overlying thrombus. We report a case of acute peri-myocarditis with eosinophilia, which was confirmed as eosinophilic myocarditis by endomyocardial biopsy, with literature review.
Biopsy ; Edema* ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Heart ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; Mortality ; Myocarditis* ; Nervous System ; Thrombosis

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lung is histologically and ultrastructurally identical to the salivary gland tumor of the same name and is characterized by infiltrative growth, local recurrence, and usually a prolonged clinical course. We have recently experienced two cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma arising in the lung. Case 1 was a 59 year-old male who presented with cough, fever, and chill of 1.5 months' duration, and case 2 was a 61 year-old male who was incidentally found to have a 3 to 4 cm sized lobulated mass in the right upper lobe. After being worked up, both patients underwent right pneumonectomy. In case 1, a 3x2 cm sized tumor was located in the lower bronchus, partly elevating toward the lumen and partly infiltrating into regional lymph nodes and lung parenchyma showing grayish-white and solid cut surface. Case 2 was a 3.5x3.5 cm sized upper bronchial tumor resembling the former in appearance. Histologically, the tumors were composed of small round hyperchromatic cells, forming solid, cribriform, acinar, or tubular structures. Luminal spaces in tumor cell nests contained PAS-positive mucinous or hyaline material. Among the tumor cells, scattered islands of normal submucosal gland were noticed.
Male ; Humans

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of the supportive nursing intervention program on Burden and Quality of Life in Mothers of Children with Nephrotic Sybdrome. The data were collected from a group of 67 mothers of nephrotic syndrome patients(34 in the intervention group, 33 in the control group) from July 1, 1998 to Dec, 30, 1988, Measurements were burden and quality of life from both groups at pre and post intervention. The supportive nursing educational program consists of individual lectures and discussion at the individual level. Listed are the summarized result: 1. The intervention group had a lower level of burden (p<0.05) than the control group intervention. 2. The level of quality of life was not significant during the intervention. According to this study a developed supportive musing intervention program is effective for reduction of the burden. For future research, it is necessary that experiments concerning quality of life in mothers of children with nephrotic syndrome, be conducted.
Alprostadil ; Child* ; Education, Nursing* ; Humans ; Lectures ; Mothers* ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Nursing* ; Quality of Life*

PURPOSE: This descriptive correlation study was done to investigate adolescent behavior that promotes health and to identify factors influencing this behavior. METHOD: The participants (702) were a conveniently selected sample of second grade high school students. Data were gathered by self-administered questionnaires and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression with the SPSS program. RESULTS: 1) The score for health-promotion behavior was 2.49 (total possible score = 4). By subcategories, emotional support was the highest (3.02). 2) Of the factors influencing health-promotion behavior, self-efficacy was found to account for 37.5% of the variance, followed by family function, social support, perceived health status and internal health locus of control. Overall, these factors accounted for 50.6% of the variance. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed that health-promotion behavior in adolescents was slightly above average. As self-efficacy and family function were identified as major factors in predicting health-promotion behavior, there is a need to consider interventions that will improve self-efficacy and family function.
Adolescent Behavior ; Adolescent* ; Humans ; Internal-External Control ; Statistics as Topic ; Child Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

We describe a 69-year-old woman who presented with a dedifferentiated extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma arising in the left masticator space. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 5 cm sized mass in the left masticator space. Histologically, the tumor consisted of two distinct areas. The less cellular area was a low-grade extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, composed of strands or cords of uniform spindle cells and abundant myxoid stroma. The more cellular, dedifferentiated area corresponded to a high grade myxofibrosarcoma, consisting of anaplastic tumor cells in myxoid stroma and geographic necrosis. The tumor cells of the former area were positive for S-100 protein, microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) and class III beta-tubulin, but negative for cytokeratin, smooth muscle actin, and desmin. The tumor cells in the latter, pleomorphic area showed MAP-2 and beta-tubulin immunoreactivity with a high Ki-67 labeling index. Based on its histologic and immunohistochemical features, the tumor was considered a dedifferentiated extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma.
Actins ; Aged ; Cell Dedifferentiation ; Chondrosarcoma ; Desmin ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Muscle, Smooth ; Necrosis ; S100 Proteins ; Tubulin

We describe a 69-year-old woman who presented with a dedifferentiated extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma arising in the left masticator space. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 5 cm sized mass in the left masticator space. Histologically, the tumor consisted of two distinct areas. The less cellular area was a low-grade extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, composed of strands or cords of uniform spindle cells and abundant myxoid stroma. The more cellular, dedifferentiated area corresponded to a high grade myxofibrosarcoma, consisting of anaplastic tumor cells in myxoid stroma and geographic necrosis. The tumor cells of the former area were positive for S-100 protein, microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) and class III beta-tubulin, but negative for cytokeratin, smooth muscle actin, and desmin. The tumor cells in the latter, pleomorphic area showed MAP-2 and beta-tubulin immunoreactivity with a high Ki-67 labeling index. Based on its histologic and immunohistochemical features, the tumor was considered a dedifferentiated extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma.
Actins ; Aged ; Cell Dedifferentiation ; Chondrosarcoma ; Desmin ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Muscle, Smooth ; Necrosis ; S100 Proteins ; Tubulin

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to analyze the functional status of low income elderly living at home according to their socio-economic factors, sensory function, health status, medical service utilization, commodity and types of chronic disease. METHOD: Functional status was defined by the level of mobility, ADL and IADL categorized as independently functional, mildly impaired, moderately disabled, and severely disabled. The data was collected by home-visit interviews with 567 community dwelling adults who were 65 years of age or more with low a income status subsidized by government in ChonAn. RESULTS: 9.9% of community dwelling older adults were severely disabled, and 44.4% were moderately disabled in their functional status. There were significant differences in the functional status by age, education, religion, and types of family structure. The older adults with hearing impairment or dental problems had a significantly higher rate of severe disability. Self-rated health status and medical service utilization were also significant factors to the differences in functional status. The functional status of older adults was also significantly related to the presence of chronic health problems such as chronic back pain, stroke, and Alzheimer-dementia. CONCLUSION: The results confirmed that community dwelling older adults with low income status were more functionally disabled in comparison to general older adults at national level, while the relating factors to their functional status seemed similar to other studies on older adults. Further studies were suggested to look into functional status longitudinally and focus on the changes of functional status by managing modifiable influencing factors.
Activities of Daily Living ; Adult* ; Aged ; Back Pain ; Chronic Disease ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Education ; Frail Elderly ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Sensation ; Stroke

BACKGROUND: Adequate staffing is necessary to meet patient care needs and provide safe, quality nursing care. In November 1999, the Korean government implemented a new staffing policy that differentiates nursing fees for inpatients based on nurse-to-bed ratios. The purpose was to prevent hospitals from delegating nursing care to family members of patients or paid caregivers, and ultimately deteriorating the quality of nursing care services. PURPOSE: To examine nurse staffing levels and related factors including hospital, nursing and medical staff, and financial characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was employed using two administrative databases, Medical Care Institution Database and Medical Claims Data for May 1-31, 2002. Nurse staffing was graded from 1 to 6, based on grading criteria of nurse-to-bed ratios provided by the policy. The study sample consisted of 42 tertiary and 186 general acute care hospitals. RESULTS: None of tertiary or general hospitals gained the highest nurse staffing of Grade 1 (i.e., less than 2 beds per nurse in tertiary hospitals; less than 2.5 beds per nurse in general hospitals). Two thirds of the general hospitals had the lowest staffing of Grade 6 (i.e., 4 or more beds per nurse in tertiary hospitals; 4.5 or more beds per nurse in general hospitals). Tertiary hospitals were better staffed than general hospitals, and private hospitals had higher staffing levels compared to public hospitals. Large-sized general hospitals located in metropolitan areas had higher staffing than other general hospitals. Occupancy rate was positively related to nurse staffing. A negative relationship between nursing assistant and nurse staffing was found in general hospitals. A greater number of physician specialists were associated with better nurse staffing. CONCLUSIONS: The staffing policy needs to be evaluated and modified to make it more effective in leading hospitals to increase nurse staffing.
Workload/economics ; Program Evaluation ; Personnel Staffing and Scheduling/*economics ; Nursing Staff, Hospital/economics/*supply & distribution ; Logistic Models ; Korea ; Humans ; *Hospital Charges ; *Health Policy ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Bed Occupancy/economics ; Analysis of Variance