This study examined the types of touch received by elderly patients from nurses, and explored the elderly patient' and nurses' perceptions of touch occurring during nursing activities. Non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews were the methods employed for data collection. The study subjects were composed of 24 nurses of the three medical wards, and their 83 elderly patients who were hospitalized at S Hospital in Seoul from February 15th to March 15th in 1996. The Observation Schedule, the Perception of Touch Instrument, and the Patient classification were study instruments. The most common types of touch occurring during the nurse-elderly patient interactions were : task touch(82.9%), caring touch(4.9%), and concurrent type of touch (12.2%). The mean score of the elderly patients' perception of touch was higher at 30.45(range 5-35)compared to the mean score of the nurses' perception of touch which was 23.01(range 5-35). Elderly patients received the nurses' touch much more positively than the nurses. But the two scores were not significantly correlated(r=.06, 29). The elderly patient's touch perception score was higher(p<.05) in the group that was touched upon approach than the group was touched later. Elderly patients preferred caring touch to task touch, but it was not significant. Nurses' touch perception scores were higher(p<.05) for female than male. Elderly patients felt most comfortable when the nurses administered the touch on their painful site.
Aged ; Appointments and Schedules ; Classification ; Data Collection ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nursing ; Seoul ; Touch Perception

BACKGROUND: Enterococci exhibit intrinsic resistance or high-level minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to beta-lactams than other streptococci. This appears to be due to low affinity of penicillin-binding proteins and rarely production of beta-lactamase, which gives the reason of testing beta-lactamase for blood and cerebrospinal fluid isolates. Ampicillin is more effective than penicillin in vitro, and MIC of ampicillin is generally 1 dilution lower than that of penicillin. The purpose of this study is to detect beta-lactamase producing enterococci an6 to compare MICs of ampicillin and penicillin by Vitek system (bioMerieux, Hazelwood, MO, USA) with those by agar dilution method. METHODS: We collected 110 isolates of Enterococcus faecalis and 51 isolates of E. faecium from clinical specimens in 1998. MICs of antibiotics were determined by agar dilution method and Vitek system. We also performed beta-lactamase test by the Cefinase (Becton Dickinson, USA) for 512 isolates of E. faecalis and 189 isolates of E. faecium collected in 1998. RESULTS: The most common sites of isolates were blood, bile, surgical/traumatic wounds, closed and open pus and urine. MICs of ampicillin were 1 to 2 dilution lower than those of penicillin for E. faecalis (P=0.03). But there were no significant differences in MICs for E. faecium (P=0.19). Five isolates (4 E. faecalis and 1 E. faecium) were susceptible to ampicillin but resistant to penicillin. There were no beta-lactamase producing enterococci among 701 isolates tested. CONCLUSIONS: MIC by Vitek system tends to be 1 to 2 dilution lower than MIC by agar dilution method to beta-lactams, and MIC of ampicillin is 1 to 2 dilution lower than MIC of penicillin, which could result in discrepancy in interpretation of susceptibilty tests. A beta-lactamase test for enterococci is not recommeneded for routine test in Korea.
Agar ; Ampicillin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents* ; beta-Lactamases ; beta-Lactams ; Bile ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Enterococcus faecalis ; Enterococcus* ; Korea ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Penicillin-Binding Proteins ; Penicillins ; Suppuration ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of hospital nurses' self-leadership, communication skill, and self-esteem on the quality of nursing service. METHODS: The participants, 230 nurses working at a general hospital in Seoul, completed a cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire survey between January 17 and 28, 2014. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 19.0 program for descriptive statistics, t-test, one way & two way ANOVA, correlation, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Nurses' self-esteem and communication skill had significant main effects on self-leadership and the quality of nursing service, but the interaction effect of the two independent variables was not significant. Variables that significantly influenced the quality of nursing service were self-leadership, communication skill, self-esteem, and career longevity. The explanatory power of these variables for the quality of nursing service was 54.4%. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate a need for education programs for nurses which are designed to promote communication skill and enhance self-esteem and self-leadership skills which will in turn enhance the quality of nursing service.
Education ; Hospitals, General ; Longevity ; Nursing Services ; Seoul

The purpose of this study was to the relationship between powerlessness, self-efficacy and quality of life in hemodialysis patients. The subjects were compromised of 198 hemodialysis patients from Pusan, Kyung-Sang Namdo and Kyung-Sang Bukdo 6 hemodialysis clinics. There were significant positive correlation between self-efficacy and quality of life(r= .512, p .00l). Data were collected by questionnaires from Sep. 19 to Oct. 27, 2001. The instrument used for study were the Powerlessness Behavioral Assessment Tool (Miller, 1983) and self-efficacy developed by Kim, Ju-Hyun(1995) and quality of life developed by Kim, Ok-Soo(1993). Collected data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, pearson correlation The results were as follows. 1. The mean score of powerlessness was 52.41+/-.93, mean mark 3.28+/-.43, and the mea score of self-efficacy was 45.44+/-.75, mean mark 2.87+/-.49, and the mea score of quality of life was 121.27+/-3.81. mean mark 2.96+/-.58. 2. There were significant differences in the level of powerlessness according to sex (1,=2.148, p= .033), occupation(t=3.682, p=.000), economic status(F=3.094, p=.048), experience of hospitalization (1,=-2.002. p= .047). 3. There were significant differences in the level of self-efficacy according to age(F=3.271. p=.013), economic status (F=5.759, p=.004), religion(F=2.667, p= .048), hemodialysis period(F=2.991. p =.032), hemodialysis frequency(t = 9.045, p = .003), experience of hospitalization (1,=4.40, p=.037). 4. There were significant differences in the level of quality of life according to occupation(t=3.796, p=.053), economic status(F=11.478, p=.000), hemodialysis frequency(t=7.573, p=.006). 5 There were significant negative correlation between powerlessness and self-efficacy (r=- .401. p .001), powerlessness and quality of .life(r=- .562, p .001),
Busan ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Renal Dialysis*

PURPOSE: This study was a qualitative research study in which focus group interviews were used to collect data on the meaning of respite for family caregivers who are taking care of elders with dementia. METHODS: The focus group interviews and participants consisted of 2 family caregiver groups, for a total of 8 people taking care of their elders and 5 professional caregivers working in a geriatrics hospital or social welfare institutions. Content analysis was used and debriefing notes were referred in order to analyze the data. RESULTS: The meaning of respite in this research was measured using 4 main categories: 'Temporary break from routine', 'direct help', 'psychological comfort', 'valuables which cannot be taken easily' and 9 subcategories: 'Temporary diversion of attention', 'temporarily free from my duty', 'taking care of oneself', 'receiving economic help', 'empathize with others', 'comfort based on trust', 'resting together with the elder', 'no time to rest', 'cannot get out of one's obligatory duty'. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study show that rest means not only a temporary relief from caretaking, but also a real respite based on the patients' stable state and comfort. These results indicate a new meaning for respite, that the first step of respite program has to begin even when the caregivers do not recognize the need for respite.
Adult ; Aged ; Caregivers/*psychology ; Dementia/*nursing ; Family ; Female ; Geriatric Nursing ; Home Nursing ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nurse-Patient Relations ; *Respite Care

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between self-efficacy and self-care of hemodialysis patients. The subjects consisted of 140 hemodialysis patients who underwent hemodialysis at 2 university hospital. The data were collected by used the self-efficacy tool developed by Kim Ju Hyune(1995) and the self-care tool developed by literature review and indepth open openended questions to 10 patients. Also, the questionnaire in cluded phusiologic data which collected through review of the patients' charts. The statistical analysis was used the SPSS program for frequency, mean, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation. The results were as follows: 1. The mean score for general self-efficacy of hemodialysis patients was 3.103(1-4point) and there were significant differences according to perceived health. The mean score for specific self-efficacy of hemodialysis patients was 3.113 (1-4point) and there were significant differences according to perceived health, side effects and complications which related hemodialysis. 2. The mean score for self-care of hemodialysis patients was 3.822(1-5point) and there were significant differences according to marital status and economic level. 3. The relationship between general self-efficacy and self-care was a positive correlation(P=.000). The relationship between specific self-efficacy and self-care was a positive correlation(P=.000). In conclusion, this study revealed the level of self-efficacy and self-care, and the positive correlation between self-efficacy and self-care on hemodialysis patients. Therefore, intervention is needer to promote self-efficacy for self-care of hemodialysis patients. Considering the vulnerable self-care area same as checking blood pressure and weight, fluid restriction, social adjustment, exercise and rest, further studies should develop self-efficacy promoting programs for self-care of hemodialysis patients.
Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Renal Dialysis* ; Self Care* ; Social Adjustment

BACKGROUND: An epidemiologic study was performed after the outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) from December 2006 to May 2007. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was performed using the medical records of the patients. The case and control patients were compared for age, gender, total length of stay in MICU, prior carbapenem use, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACH II) score, presence of central line, effect of mechanical ventilation, and sputum suction. Environmental and hand-washing studies were performed during the outbreak. RESULTS: Ten CRAB-affected patients and 29 controls were enrolled in this study. Univariate analysis showed that the age, total length of stay in MICU, presence of central line, and prior carbapenem use were associated with the CRAB outbreak. However, multivariate analysis showed that only prior carbapenem use was associated with the CRAB outbreak (odd ratio: 8.67, P=0.01). The outbreak disappeared after implementing a combined infection control strategy, including the sequential disinfection of MICU and strict compliance with cross-transmission prevention protocols. CONCLUSION: The use of carbapenem was associated with an increased risk of CRAB infection. This study suggests that the MICU contamination and infection transmission by health-care workers played a major role in the CRAB outbreak. Novel strategies such as restricted use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, strict hand hygiene, strict isolation of the patients, and MICU disinfection may be required to prevent the CRAB outbreak.
Acinetobacter ; Acinetobacter baumannii ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; APACHE ; Case-Control Studies ; Compliance ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; Disinfection ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Hand Hygiene ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sputum ; Suction

A case of a 58-year-old man with malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the right ventricle is reported light and electron microscopically. This is the first case of MFH of the heart in the Korean literature. A tendency for malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the heart to occur in the left atrium of young women is suggested; this sarcoma's usual location is in the soft tissue of elderly men. The tumor consisted of spindle cells arranged in a focal storiform patterns, clusters or sheets of histocyte-like cells, benign and malignant giant cells, inflammatory cells, scattered mitotic figures and anaplasia of stromal cells. In ultrastructure the constituent of cells of the tumor are primitive mesenchymal cells, histiocytoid cells and fibroblast like cells including giant cells.
Female ; Male ; Humans

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Eating out has been reported to have negative effects on nutritional status. However, eating out can include meals prepared at home and eaten outside. Conversely, meals eaten at home can be brought from outside, as take-out and home deliveries have become common in Korea. Thus, we tested whether or not meal preparation location influences daily diet quality. SUBJECTS/METHODS: From the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2007-2009, 4,915 Korean adults (20-64 years) were classified into two groups: home-made meal group (HMG), who ate ≥ 2 meals per day prepared at home (n = 4,146), and non-home-made meal group (NHMG), who ate ≥ 2 meals per day prepared outside home (n = 769). Daily diet quality was determined by energy intake, nutrient intake, Dietary Variety Score (DVS), and Diet Diversity Score (DDS). RESULTS: Compared to the HMG, the NHMG was more likely to consist of men, single, employed, educated and of a higher economic status (all, P < 0.01). The NHMG showed higher energy intakes (1,776 vs. 2,116 kcal/day) with higher percentages of energy from protein (15 vs. 23%) and fat (14 vs. 16%) and lower intakes of dietary fiber, phosphorus, potassium, niacin, and vitamin C (all, P < 0.01) than the HMG, with some variations among age groups. The NHMG tended to consume foods prepared by frying and grilling and had more one-dish meals such as bibimbap, noodles, and dumplings but also showed higher dietary diversity. CONCLUSIONS: It should be noted that home-made meals do not necessarily guarantee a healthy diet, and the effects of meal preparation location on nutritional status might vary depending on socio-demographic characteristics.
Adult* ; Ascorbic Acid ; Diet ; Dietary Fiber ; Eating ; Energy Intake ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Meals* ; Niacin ; Nutrition Surveys ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritive Value ; Phosphorus ; Potassium

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Eating out has been reported to have negative effects on nutritional status. However, eating out can include meals prepared at home and eaten outside. Conversely, meals eaten at home can be brought from outside, as take-out and home deliveries have become common in Korea. Thus, we tested whether or not meal preparation location influences daily diet quality. SUBJECTS/METHODS: From the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2007-2009, 4,915 Korean adults (20-64 years) were classified into two groups: home-made meal group (HMG), who ate ≥ 2 meals per day prepared at home (n = 4,146), and non-home-made meal group (NHMG), who ate ≥ 2 meals per day prepared outside home (n = 769). Daily diet quality was determined by energy intake, nutrient intake, Dietary Variety Score (DVS), and Diet Diversity Score (DDS). RESULTS: Compared to the HMG, the NHMG was more likely to consist of men, single, employed, educated and of a higher economic status (all, P < 0.01). The NHMG showed higher energy intakes (1,776 vs. 2,116 kcal/day) with higher percentages of energy from protein (15 vs. 23%) and fat (14 vs. 16%) and lower intakes of dietary fiber, phosphorus, potassium, niacin, and vitamin C (all, P < 0.01) than the HMG, with some variations among age groups. The NHMG tended to consume foods prepared by frying and grilling and had more one-dish meals such as bibimbap, noodles, and dumplings but also showed higher dietary diversity. CONCLUSIONS: It should be noted that home-made meals do not necessarily guarantee a healthy diet, and the effects of meal preparation location on nutritional status might vary depending on socio-demographic characteristics.
Adult* ; Ascorbic Acid ; Diet ; Dietary Fiber ; Eating ; Energy Intake ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Meals* ; Niacin ; Nutrition Surveys ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritive Value ; Phosphorus ; Potassium