The standard radiation protection method in the angiography suite involves the use of a thyroid shield, a lead apron, and lead glasses. However, exposure to substantial amounts of ionizing radiation can cause cataracts, tumors, and skin erythema. A newly developed curtain-type radiation protection device consists of a curtain drape composed of a five-layer bismuth and lead acrylic head-shielding plate, with both bearing an equivalent 0.25 mm lead thickness. In this study, a quality assurance phantom was used as the patient to create radiation scatter from the radiographic source, and an anthropomorphic mannequin phantom was used as the interventionalist to measure the radiation dose at seven different anatomical locations. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were used to measure the radiation dose. The experimental groups consisted of all-sided or one-sided curtain set-ups, the presence or absence of a conventional shielding system, and the orientation of beam irradiation. Consequently, the curtain-type radiation protection device exhibited better radiation protection range and capabilities than conventional radiation protection systems, especially in safeguarding the forehead, eyes, arms, and feet, with minimal radiation exposure.Moreover, the mean shielding ratios of the conventional shielding system and curtain-type radiation protection device were measured at 51.94% and 93.86%, respectively. Additionally, no significant decrease in the radiation protection range or capability was observed, even with changes in the beam orientation or one-sided protection. Compared with a conventional shielding system, the curtain-type radiation protection device decreased radiation exposure doses and improved comfort. Therefore, it is a potential new radiation protection device for veterinary interventional procedures.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and test the validity and reliability of the Korean version of nurses' attitudes toward delegation and preparedness to delegate (APD). METHODS: The Korean version of APD was developed through forward-backward translation methods. Internal consistency reliability, criterion validity, and construct validity using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 19 and AMOS 20.0. Survey data were collected from 161 nurses working in 2 general hospitals. RESULTS: The Korean version of APD showed Cronbach's alphas of .68 and .85. Factor loadings of the 8 attitude items on the 3 subscales ranged from .60 to .86 and the 15 preparedness items on the 4 subscales ranged from .47 to .90. The model of 3 subscales for the Korean nurses' attitude toward delegation and the model of 4 subscales for the Korean nurses' preparedness to delegate were both validated by confirmatory factor analysis(NC<3, CFI>.90, RMSEA<.10). Criterion validity compared to job satisfaction showed significant correlation. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrate that this modified Korean version of APD is applicable for measuring Korean nurses' attitude toward delegation and preparedness to delegate.
Hospitals, General ; Job Satisfaction ; Reproducibility of Results*

The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between acute exacerbation and Forced Expiratory Volume 1 second (FEV1) improvement after treatment with combined long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A total of 137 COPD patients were classified as responders or nonresponders according to FEV1 improvement after 3 months of LABA/ICS treatment in fourteen referral hospitals in Korea. Exacerbation occurrence in these two subgroups was compared over a period of 1 yr. Eighty of the 137 COPD patients (58.4%) were classified as responders and 57 (41.6%) as nonresponders. Acute exacerbations occurred in 25 patients (31.3%) in the responder group and in 26 patients (45.6%) in the nonresponder group (P=0.086). FEV1 improvement after LABA/ICS treatment was a significant prognostic factor for fewer acute exacerbations in a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for age, sex, FEV1, smoking history, 6 min walk distance, body mass index, exacerbation history in the previous year, and dyspnea scale.Three-month treatment response to LABA/ICS might be a prognostic factor for the occurrence of acute exacerbation in COPD patients.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones/*therapeutic use ; Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists/*therapeutic use ; Bronchodilator Agents/*therapeutic use ; Budesonide/therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Fluticasone/therapeutic use ; Forced Expiratory Volume/drug effects/*physiology ; Formoterol Fumarate/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Recurrence ; Republic of Korea ; Salmeterol Xinafoate/therapeutic use ; Smoking ; Spirometry ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of resilience and job satisfaction on organizational commitment in Korean-American registered nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire survey with 203 Korean-American registered nurses living in New York State and New Jersey State. Data were collected from May 8 to August 25, 2012. Collected data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test and hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS: The mean organizational commitment of Korean-American registered nurses was 3.34+/-0.59 out of a possible 5.00. The resilience and job satisfaction were significant variables predicting the level of organizational commitment among Korean-American registered nurses, accounting for 50% of the variability. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that it is necessary to identify factors influencing job satisfaction and develop programs to strengthen personal resilience in order to increase organizational commitment.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction* ; New Jersey ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate effects of a health education program based on social cognitive theory on university students with risk factors for metabolic syndrome. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 88 students who had at least 2 risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome (47 students for the experimental and 41 for the control group). The health education program consisted of thirteen sessions. Knowledge regarding smoking and alcohol drinking, self-efficacy and self-esteem were evaluated. t-test, chi2-test, Fisher's exact test, and paired t-test were conducted to analyze the data. SPSS/WIN 19.0 Statistics program was used. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy in the experimental group compared to the control group. No significant changes in knowledge and self-esteem were found. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the health education program for university students was partially effective. Further work is required to develop more effective health education programs.
Alcohol Drinking ; Health Education* ; Health Promotion* ; Humans ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the relationship between self-esteem and satisfaction with volunteer work in a population of health care center volunteers. Ultimately, the results from this study would help to find ways to keep volunteers continuing their work. METHODS: The participants of this study were 179 volunteers who were affiliated with three health care centers located in Gyeonggi-do. Descriptive statistics and multi-stage regression were conducted to analyze data. RESULTS: Self-esteem was significantly associated with the satisfaction with volunteer activity. In addition, the relationship with clients rather than volunteers' general characteristics was also significantly related to the satisfaction with volunteer work. CONCLUSION: Therefore, it is necessary to increase a volunteer's self-esteem so that the volunteer can keep continuing his or her volunteering activities. Also, in order to promote good relationships between the volunteers and the clients, it will be important to teach communication skills to volunteers.
Delivery of Health Care ; Public Health