PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of life and related factors of CVA surgery patients. METHOD: The subjects were 64 CVA surgery patients who had discharged and received follow up care at the OPD. Data were collected using William's SS-QOL instrument and IADL. And Data were analyzed with SPSS WIN program in which frequency, percentage, t-test, Pearson's correlation and stepwise regression were used to examine the quality of life and related factors. RESULT: General characteristics related to QOL were marital status and economical status. Depression was the most important factor with influence on QOL in CVA disease patients after surgery. There were further positive correlation between patient's IADL and QOL and between patient's social support and QOL. Meanwhile the patient's depression level was negatively correlated with QOL. CONCLUSION: Depression was the most important factor with influence on QOL in CVA patients after surgery. Therefore active nursing intervention to decrease depression and to improve patient's physical functional status in needed. And the patient's family should be included in all nursing intervention and patient education so that the patient's quality of life is prompted by the maintenance of optimal wellbeing.
Depression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Nursing ; Patient Education as Topic ; Quality of Life*

Mycosis fungoides(MF) is a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma of low-grade malignancy characterized by the proliferation of small to medium-sized cerebriform lymphoid cells confined to the skin. It usually shows favorable prognosis, but morphologic transformation occurs in some cases and is often associated with a more aggressive clinical course. Herein we report a case of Ki-1 positive large cell lyrnphoma (Ki-1 LCL) which developed in the plaque stage of mycosis fungoides. Although the lesions responded well to low-dose methotrexate therapy and there was no evidence of local or systemic recurrence until now, continuous follow-up is needed because the prognosis of transformed MF is known to be poor compared with primary cutaneous Ki-1 LCL. We also discussed the differential diagnosis of primary cutaneous Ki-1 positive lymphoproliferative disorders.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Methotrexate ; Mycosis Fungoides* ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Skin

This study was conducted to investigate the use of medical equipment in patients receiving home care service. The subjects of this study were 88 patients cared by seven home care nursed who were registered in the Seoul Nurses Association. Data was collected from Aug. 1, 1998 to Dec. 30, 1998. The findings are as follows. 1. The sample was found to be 55.7% female : 51.7% over 65 years old. 75% with neurologic disease including CVA, brain tumor, ICH, Parkinsonism & Spinal stenosis and 78.4% living in Seoul. The Clinical experience of the home care nurses was greater than five years. 2. Medical equipment which the patients port sensed were folly catheters(61.4%), L-tubes(59.1%) and tracheostomy tubes(51.1%). 3. Technical difficulties in use of medical equipment were related to home care ventilators(60.0%), L-tubes(3.8%) and tracheostomy tubes (2.2%) 4. Most of the medical equipment were obtained from the hospital where they had been admitted previously or from medical equipment companies. 5. Complications from the use of this equipment were infection through invasive techniques Including wound drainage tubes(50%), and IV injections(22.2%), The complications were resolved through referral to the doctor of the hospital where they were previously admitted or through community health centers. 6. Most of the equipment was disposable, and equipment was disinfected by using various methods including boiling and soaking in antiseptic solutions. These findings suggest that consistant policy on the management of medical equipment is necessary for the safety of home care patients.
Aged ; Brain Neoplasms ; Community Health Centers ; Drainage ; Female ; Home Care Services* ; Humans ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; Referral and Consultation ; Seoul ; Spinal Stenosis ; Tracheostomy ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of different isolation policies in reducing the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in hospital in-patients. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the effectiveness of an isolation policy on transmission of MRSA in the 745-beds hospital. First period, all patients with MRSA (March - July 2000) were not isolated Second period, strict isolation policies were performed (August 2000 - January 2002). All patients with MRSA were isolated in separated room, hand hygiene using alcohol handrub, gowning and g1oving, apply of MRSA notice sticker, criteria in isolation remove, separated disinfection and wastement. Third period, semi strict isolation policies were performed (February 2002 - August 2005). Some patients with MRSA were isolated in separated room and others were admitted in general ward for bed shortage. Only some practices were performed in hand washing and separated disinfection in general ward. RESULTS: The rates of MRSA nosocomial infection per patients during 1st, 2nd, and 3rd surveillance were reported 0.56, 0.23, and 0.42 (P<0.05). Patient-days rate of MRSA nosocomial infection during 1st, 2nd, and 3rd surveillance were reported 0.62, 0.27, and 0.38 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: With many different isolation policies, it was possible to reduce nosocomial infection of MRSA. In this study, strict isolation policies (2nd period) were the most effective practices in reducing MRSA infection.
Cross Infection ; Disinfection ; Hand Disinfection ; Hand Hygiene ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infection Control ; Methicillin Resistance* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* ; Patients' Rooms ; Prospective Studies

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify menopausal symptoms and quality of life (QOL) according to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in rural menopausal women. METHODS: Menopausal symptoms and QOL were measured by questionnaires. A total of 50 participants in HRT group had received hormone replacement therapy for 12 weeks and another 50 who had not received hormone therapy were assigned to non-HRT group. RESULTS: Vasomotor symptom score of non-HRT group was significantly higher than that of HRT group (p=.013). There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in all menopausal symptoms except for vasomotor symptom. There were no significant differences between two groups in the total scores and sub-scores of QOL. Total scores and sub-scores of QOL were very low in both group. Menopausal symptoms were significantly negatively correlated with QOL. CONCLUSION: These results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between HRT group and non-HRT group in menopausal symptoms except for vasomotor symptom and QOL. Menopausal symptoms were moderate and QOL was very low in menopausal women. It is necessary to develop nursing interventions to improve menopausal symptoms and QOL in menopausal women.
Female ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Menopause ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: The alpha2-adrenergic agonist clonidine has been extensively studied as an adjunct to general and regional anesthesia. Clonidine has been added to local anesthetic regimens for various peripheral nerve blocks, resulting in prolonged anesthesia and analgesia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of that using clonidine as a component of intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) to enhance postoperative analgesia. METHODS: Thirty-six patients undergoing hand surgery received IVRA with mepivacaine 0.5%, and were assigned randomly and blindly to one of the following groups as follows: Group I (n = 12) received only mepivacaine. Group II (n = 12) was given 0.5 microgram/kg clonidine as part of the IVRA solution. Group III (n = 12) received 1.0 microgram/kg clonidine as part of the IVRA solution. After the end of the operations, the analgesic effects were evaluated by using the visual analogous scale (0-10). Sedation scores (0-3), supplemental analgesic use, and side effects were also evaluated. RESULTS: The patients who received IVRA with 1.0 microgram/kg clonidine reported significantly lower pain score after tourniquet deflation compared with other groups, and a decreased need for analgesic in the postanesthesia care unit. No significant postoperative sedation, hypotension, or bradycardia developed in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of 1.0 microgram/kg clonidine to mepivacaine 0.5% for IVRA provided improved analgesia in the postanesthesia care unit after the operation and decreased the need for analgesic supplements after the operation.
Analgesia ; Anesthesia and Analgesia ; Anesthesia, Conduction* ; Bradycardia ; Clonidine* ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Mepivacaine* ; Peripheral Nerves ; Tourniquets

No abstract available.
Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile* ; Xanthogranuloma, Juvenile*

PURPOSE: This study was done to develop standards for educational equipment in fundamental nursing practice courses in BSN programs. METHOD: The participants in this study were 30 professors who taught fundamental nursing in colleges or departments of nursing. The data were gathered between December 2002 and May 2003 using a questionnaire on the present state of fundamental nursing practice and the educational equipment list for fundamental nursing practice. RESULT: There was variety in the content of the courses of fundamental nursing practice in BSN programs, and the environment for fundamental nursing practice was in diverse setting. A standard for educational equipment was developed consisting of 93 pieces of equipment for fundamental nursing practice. CONCLUSION: The standard for educational equipment for fundamental nursing practice in BSN programs provides the basics for fundamental nursing practice. Of these 72 were selected and the authors suggests establishing an educational committee of fundamental nursing practice and holding a workshop on educational equipment for fundamental nursing practice in BSN programs every 5 years.
Education ; Nursing* ; Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of this Study was to identify the factors that affect the caregiving burdens felt by the female family caregivers and quality of caregiving. METHOD: The subjects were 247 female family caregivers who were living with the elderly and were residing in Seoul. Data was collected from June 30, 2000 to Agust 11 by using questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchial multiple regression with SAS/PC. RESULT: Situational factors had the greatest influence on the caregiving burdens. While the interactive factors of discrepancy between past and present image of elder and the caregiving belief were proven to be significant, the former had greater influence. The factors affecting the quality of caregiving, this is greatly influenced by situational factors and interactive factors. The discrepancy between past and present image of elder had relatively little influence while caregiving belief had the greatest influence. Among the situational factors, family stress had the greatest influence, while the caregiving burdens had little influence on the quality of caregiving. CONCLUSION: In order to improve the quality of caregiving in elderly by the female caregiver in the family, and to reduce the caregiving burdens, it is important to consider variables related to interaction as well as those directly concerned with caregiver and the elderly for nursing intervention.
Aged* ; Caregivers* ; Female* ; Humans ; Nursing ; Seoul ; Surveys and Questionnaires