PURPOSE: This study aims to determine obstetrics nurses knowledge, attitude, and practice about breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE), and to contribute to the early detection of breast cancer during breastfeeding periods. METHODS: For the survey, 163 individuals (obstetric nurses) were chosen by convenience sampling and agreed to participate in the study. Their knowledge, attitude, and practice about breast cancer and BSE. RESULTS: Knowledge and attitude averaged 70.45+/-10.90 (of 100) and 3.64+/-0.27 (of 5), respectively. While most nurses (99%) recognized the importance of BSE, only 58.9% experienced BSE. BSE practice level averaged 8.35+/-1.96 (of 12). Only 20.2% had recommended BSE to their clients. Practice level varied significantly for different marital status, breastfeeding experience, and education, while knowledge and attitude remained independent. Nurses who had experienced mammogram or breast ultrasonogram themselves scored higher in knowledge. Attitude was higher for nurses who received recommendation for BSE, performed BSE, received BSE education, or recommended BSE to clients. Practice level was higher for nurses who received BSE education or willing to perform BSE in future. Practice level had a positive correlation with attitude but no correlation to knowledge. CONCLUSION: Obstetric nurses need continuing education for practicing BSE. Practical BSE education can not only promote preventive behavior of nurses, but it can also improve the breast health management of obstetrical clients.
Breast ; Breast Feeding ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast Self-Examination ; Education, Continuing ; Marital Status ; Obstetrics

Purpose: We aim to assess infertility stress, gratitude, and changes in couple relationship of the women under reproductive treatments and to identify the relationships between variables. Methods: The subjects were 212 infertile women receiving reproductive treatments. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaires from June to August in 2019. The questionnaire consisted of the questions about infertility stress, gratitude and changes in their couple relationships. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, 1-way analysis of variance, and correlation coefficient were analyzed using the SPSS 26.0 Windows program. Results: The level of Infertility stress, gratitude, and changes in couple relationship averaged 3.23±0.59 (range of 1 to 6), 4.85±1.06 (range of 1 to 6), 3.03±0.55 (range of 1 to 5), respectively. Infertility stress had a negative correlation with gratitude (r=-0.322, p<0.001) and changes in couple relationship (r= -0.371, p<0.001). Gratitude also had a negative correlation with changes in couple relationship (r=-0.370, p<0.001). Conclusion The results revealed that infertility stress has a negative correlation with gratitude and changes in couple relationship. Thus, psychological interventions that can alleviate negative emotions should be provided.

Purpose: We aim to assess infertility stress, gratitude, and changes in couple relationship of the women under reproductive treatments and to identify the relationships between variables. Methods: The subjects were 212 infertile women receiving reproductive treatments. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaires from June to August in 2019. The questionnaire consisted of the questions about infertility stress, gratitude and changes in their couple relationships. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, 1-way analysis of variance, and correlation coefficient were analyzed using the SPSS 26.0 Windows program. Results: The level of Infertility stress, gratitude, and changes in couple relationship averaged 3.23±0.59 (range of 1 to 6), 4.85±1.06 (range of 1 to 6), 3.03±0.55 (range of 1 to 5), respectively. Infertility stress had a negative correlation with gratitude (r=-0.322, p<0.001) and changes in couple relationship (r= -0.371, p<0.001). Gratitude also had a negative correlation with changes in couple relationship (r=-0.370, p<0.001). Conclusion The results revealed that infertility stress has a negative correlation with gratitude and changes in couple relationship. Thus, psychological interventions that can alleviate negative emotions should be provided.

Purpose: : The aim of this study was to propose appropriate nurse staffing of adult intensive care units considering patients’ nursing care needs according to the Workload Management System for Critical Care Nurses (WMSCN). Methods: : In a cross-sectional survey conducted in September 2017, 1,786 patients’ WMSCN scores, surveys from 2,145 nurses, and administrative data from 118 units in 41 hospitals were analyzed. The means (standard deviations) of the aforementioned scores and nursing hours per patient day were presented. Nurse-to-patient ratios and nurse-to bed ratios for staffing to meet patients’ nursing care needs were calculated. Results: : The mean WMSCN scores were 109.50±17.17 in tertiary hospitals and 96.38±19.26 in general hospitals. Nursing hours per patient day were 12.47±2.80 in tertiary hospitals and 11.01±2.45 in general hospitals. Nursing hours per patient day correlated with WMSCN scores. Nurse-to-bed ratios required for the provision of ICU nursing care ranged from 1: 0.36 to 1: 0.48. Conclusion : Our findings provide evidence that current ICU nurse staffing is insufficient for meeting patients’ nursing care needs. We suggest adjusting the legal standards for adequate nurse staffing considering these needs.

Purpose: : The aim of this study was to propose appropriate nurse staffing of adult intensive care units considering patients’ nursing care needs according to the Workload Management System for Critical Care Nurses (WMSCN). Methods: : In a cross-sectional survey conducted in September 2017, 1,786 patients’ WMSCN scores, surveys from 2,145 nurses, and administrative data from 118 units in 41 hospitals were analyzed. The means (standard deviations) of the aforementioned scores and nursing hours per patient day were presented. Nurse-to-patient ratios and nurse-to bed ratios for staffing to meet patients’ nursing care needs were calculated. Results: : The mean WMSCN scores were 109.50±17.17 in tertiary hospitals and 96.38±19.26 in general hospitals. Nursing hours per patient day were 12.47±2.80 in tertiary hospitals and 11.01±2.45 in general hospitals. Nursing hours per patient day correlated with WMSCN scores. Nurse-to-bed ratios required for the provision of ICU nursing care ranged from 1: 0.36 to 1: 0.48. Conclusion : Our findings provide evidence that current ICU nurse staffing is insufficient for meeting patients’ nursing care needs. We suggest adjusting the legal standards for adequate nurse staffing considering these needs.

Aspergillus tracheobronchitis, an uncommon form of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, is characterized by the development of a pseudomembrane, ulcers, or an obstruction that is predominantly confined to the tracheobronchial tree. Pseudomembranous Aspergillus tracheobronchitis is the most severe form of Aspergillus tracheobronchitis, and only a few cases have been reported in Korea. We report the characteristic chest CT findings in a patient diagnosed with pseudomembranous Aspergillus tracheobronchitis after bronchoscopy and successfully treated by proper antifungal treatment.

Purpose: : This study aimed to present the incidence of pressure ulcers and identify different associated factors according to the time of occurrence of pressure ulcers in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Methods: : The participants were 313 patients who reported pressure ulcers among 2,908 patients in ICUs at a large tertiary hospital in Gyeonggi-do. Among them, 220 patients (70.3%) had a pressure ulcer before admission, and 93 patients (29.7%) reported newly developed pressure ulcers after admission to the ICU. Data were collected between August 2018 and April 2019. Along with the time of occurrence and characteristics of pressure ulcers, diverse associated factors were gathered through electronic medical records. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and χ2-tests. Results: : Different risk factors associated with pressure ulcers in ICU patients according to the time of occurrence were main diagnosis, score of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation, score of Richmond agitation sedation scale, level of consciousness, administered sedatives, use of a ventilator, insertion of a feeding tube, and the duration of fasting period. Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, healthcare providers, especially ICU nurses, should try to detect early signs and symptoms of pressure ulcers, taking into account the derived factors associated with pressure ulcers in ICU patients. Practical intervention programs and strategies considering the factors associated with pressure ulcers must be developed to prevent and alleviate such ulcers in ICU patients in the future.