Background: This study investigates changes in infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses in healthcare institutions during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to provide evidence for preparing effective responses to future emerging infectious diseases. Methods: A survey was conducted from August 9 to 27, 2021, targeting infection control nurses working in infection control departments of general hospitals in South Korea with more than 100 beds. Results: A total of 118 (38.3%) healthcare institutions responded, and 113 questionnaires ultimately analyzed. Changes in infection control organizations observed during the COVID-19 pandemic included alterations in infection control department staffing (34.5%), work arrangements (92.0%), IT systems development (45.1%), facilities and equipment (92.9%), and systems for responding to emerging infectious diseases (99.1%). Over 50% of infection control tasks were performed either frequently or daily during the pandemic, with the most significant workload increase observed in epidemiological investigations (77.9%). The most challenging task for infection control nurses was establishing and operating epidemic management systems (82.3%). Among personal factors hindering their work, a sense of responsibility for their duties scored the highest (mean 4.73/5 points). The primary structural and environmental barrier was insufficient staffing (mean 4.36/5 points). The most critical need for improving infection control efforts was increased staffing in infection control departments and enhanced administrative support (mean 4.63/5 points). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses. Based on the lessons learned, healthcare institutions must systematically restructure infection control organizations and enhance the expertise of infection control nurses to respond effectively to future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.

Background: This study investigates changes in infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses in healthcare institutions during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to provide evidence for preparing effective responses to future emerging infectious diseases. Methods: A survey was conducted from August 9 to 27, 2021, targeting infection control nurses working in infection control departments of general hospitals in South Korea with more than 100 beds. Results: A total of 118 (38.3%) healthcare institutions responded, and 113 questionnaires ultimately analyzed. Changes in infection control organizations observed during the COVID-19 pandemic included alterations in infection control department staffing (34.5%), work arrangements (92.0%), IT systems development (45.1%), facilities and equipment (92.9%), and systems for responding to emerging infectious diseases (99.1%). Over 50% of infection control tasks were performed either frequently or daily during the pandemic, with the most significant workload increase observed in epidemiological investigations (77.9%). The most challenging task for infection control nurses was establishing and operating epidemic management systems (82.3%). Among personal factors hindering their work, a sense of responsibility for their duties scored the highest (mean 4.73/5 points). The primary structural and environmental barrier was insufficient staffing (mean 4.36/5 points). The most critical need for improving infection control efforts was increased staffing in infection control departments and enhanced administrative support (mean 4.63/5 points). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses. Based on the lessons learned, healthcare institutions must systematically restructure infection control organizations and enhance the expertise of infection control nurses to respond effectively to future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.

Background: This study investigates changes in infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses in healthcare institutions during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to provide evidence for preparing effective responses to future emerging infectious diseases. Methods: A survey was conducted from August 9 to 27, 2021, targeting infection control nurses working in infection control departments of general hospitals in South Korea with more than 100 beds. Results: A total of 118 (38.3%) healthcare institutions responded, and 113 questionnaires ultimately analyzed. Changes in infection control organizations observed during the COVID-19 pandemic included alterations in infection control department staffing (34.5%), work arrangements (92.0%), IT systems development (45.1%), facilities and equipment (92.9%), and systems for responding to emerging infectious diseases (99.1%). Over 50% of infection control tasks were performed either frequently or daily during the pandemic, with the most significant workload increase observed in epidemiological investigations (77.9%). The most challenging task for infection control nurses was establishing and operating epidemic management systems (82.3%). Among personal factors hindering their work, a sense of responsibility for their duties scored the highest (mean 4.73/5 points). The primary structural and environmental barrier was insufficient staffing (mean 4.36/5 points). The most critical need for improving infection control efforts was increased staffing in infection control departments and enhanced administrative support (mean 4.63/5 points). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses. Based on the lessons learned, healthcare institutions must systematically restructure infection control organizations and enhance the expertise of infection control nurses to respond effectively to future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.

Background: This study investigates changes in infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses in healthcare institutions during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to provide evidence for preparing effective responses to future emerging infectious diseases. Methods: A survey was conducted from August 9 to 27, 2021, targeting infection control nurses working in infection control departments of general hospitals in South Korea with more than 100 beds. Results: A total of 118 (38.3%) healthcare institutions responded, and 113 questionnaires ultimately analyzed. Changes in infection control organizations observed during the COVID-19 pandemic included alterations in infection control department staffing (34.5%), work arrangements (92.0%), IT systems development (45.1%), facilities and equipment (92.9%), and systems for responding to emerging infectious diseases (99.1%). Over 50% of infection control tasks were performed either frequently or daily during the pandemic, with the most significant workload increase observed in epidemiological investigations (77.9%). The most challenging task for infection control nurses was establishing and operating epidemic management systems (82.3%). Among personal factors hindering their work, a sense of responsibility for their duties scored the highest (mean 4.73/5 points). The primary structural and environmental barrier was insufficient staffing (mean 4.36/5 points). The most critical need for improving infection control efforts was increased staffing in infection control departments and enhanced administrative support (mean 4.63/5 points). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses. Based on the lessons learned, healthcare institutions must systematically restructure infection control organizations and enhance the expertise of infection control nurses to respond effectively to future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Coronary vasospasms are one of the important causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Provocation of coronary vasospasms can be useful, though some results may lead to false positives, with patients potentially experiencing recurrent SCD despite appropriate medical treatments. We hypothesized that it is not coronary vasospasms but inherited primary arrhythmia syndromes (IPAS) that underlie the development of SCD. METHODS: We analyzed 74 consecutive patients (3.8%) who survived out-of-hospital cardiac arrest among 1,986 patients who had angiographically proven coronary vasospasms. Electrical abnormalities were evaluated in serial follow-up electrocardiograms (ECGs) during and after the index event for a 3.9 years median follow-up. Major clinical events were defined as the composite of death and recurrent SCD events. RESULTS: Forty five patients (60.8%) displayed electrocardiographic abnormalities suggesting IPAS: Brugada type patterns in six (8.2%), arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia patterns in three (4.1%), long QT syndrome pattern in one (2.2%), and early repolarization in 38 (51.4%). Patients having major clinical events showed more frequent Brugada type patterns, early repolarization, and more diffuse multivessel coronary vasospasms. Brugada type pattern ECGs (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 4.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16 to 15.99; p = 0.034), and early repolarization (HR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.09 to 8.10; p = 0.034) were ultimately associated with an increased risk of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Even though a number of aborted SCD survivors have coronary vasospasms, some also have IPAS, which has the potential to cause SCD. Therefore, meticulous evaluations and follow-ups for IPAS are required in those patients.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac* ; Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia ; Coronary Vasospasm* ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac* ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Long QT Syndrome ; Masks* ; Mortality ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest ; Survivors

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare work-related musculoskeletal symptoms, occupational stress and nursing work environments of nurses working in patient-sitter wards and general wards. METHODS: The study surveyed 240 nurses with more than one year of experience working in both patient-sitter wards and general wards. The collected data then was analyzed by SPSS statistics version 22. RESULTS: As for the musculoskeletal symptoms, the survey showed that 85.2% and 67.8% of the nurses had such symptoms respectively in patient-sitter wards and general wards. In terms of occupational stress, no significant difference was observed between the patient-sitter ward and the general ward (t=-0.23, p=.821). Lastly, the study showed that there is a significant difference in terms of work environment considering the scores recorded 2.65 and 2.55 points respectively in patient-sitter ward and general ward (t=2.53, p=.012). CONCLUSION: Follow-up research should look at ways to lower the rate of experiencing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms; analyze work performances and establish work standards to lower occupational stress; and devise measures to improve the work environment for the nurses working in patient-sitter wards.
Follow-Up Studies ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Nursing* ; Patients' Rooms*

BACKGROUND: Direct observation of healthcare workers is commonly used in hospitals to investigate hand hygiene compliance. However, the hand hygiene compliance rate may increase due to the Hawthorne effect, which is the modification of behavior simply because subjects become aware that they are being observed. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of the Hawthorne effect when directly observing hand hygiene compliance in intensive care unit (ICU) healthcare personnel. METHODS: A total of 87 staff members from the coronary care unit and cardiac surgery ICU of a general hospital in Seoul were included in this study: 24 residents and interns, 55 nurses, and 8 nursing assistants. Both covert and overt observations, where subjects were either unaware or aware of any direct observation, were performed on separate occasions. RESULTS: A total of 1,052 covert and 1,336 overt observations were documented over 30 and 34 occasions, respectively. Overall hand hygiene compliance was significantly higher with overt observation than with covert observation (1,041/1,336, 77.9% vs. 659/1,052, 62.6%, P<0.001). The Hawthorne effect was present in all professions and behaviors, with the exception of nursing assistants, and prior to touching a patient. CONCLUSION: Direct observation of hand hygiene compliance was associated with the Hawthorne effect when observations were made overtly and this was likely to contribute to an overestimation of compliance rate.
Compliance ; Coronary Care Units* ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic* ; Hand Hygiene* ; Health Personnel ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units* ; Nursing ; Seoul ; Thoracic Surgery*

PURPOSE: Purpose of this study was to examine the impact of group dynamic imagery therapy on job stress and psychosocial stress of female nurses. METHODS: The research questions were tested through a quasi-experimental research with a non-equivalent pretest-posttest design. Seventy-seven female nurses from G University Hospital in J City participated in this study; 38 of them were assigned to the experimental group, and the rest were assigned to the control group. Once a week for 8 continuous weeks, participants in the experimental group had 90-minute group dynamic imagery therapies. RESULTS: 1) The level of job stress was significantly lower in the experimental group than the control group, and 2) The level of Psychosocial stress was also significantly lower in the experimental group than the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that group dynamic imagery therapy can be an effective intervention against job stress and psychosocial stress of female nurses.
Female ; Humans

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to develop and test the effects of an elder health promotion program and apply strategies for elder health leader training sessions with elders at senior citizen halls. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 49 elders at a senior citizen hall (intervention: 27, control: 22). The elder health promotion program consisted of health education and exercise. A professional leader led the program for 4 weeks, and then an elder health leader and research assistant led for 8 weeks (total 12 weeks). Scales for elder health promoting behaviors, perceived health status, life satisfaction and senior citizen hall capability were used and physical fitness levels were measured. Data were collected between April 21 and July 28, 2010 and analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, t-test, and repeated measure ANOVA with SPSS/WIN 12.0. RESULTS: Health promoting behaviors, physical fitness, perceived health status, and senior citizen hall capacity were significantly better in the experimental group after the intervention compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Study findings indicate that elder health promotion programs applying strategies of elder health leader training are effective and can be recommended as nursing interventions for health promotion of these elders.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Attitude to Health ; Exercise ; Female ; Health Education ; *Health Promotion ; Health Status ; Humans ; *Leadership ; Male ; Physical Fitness ; Program Evaluation

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to know the healthcare-associated infection (HAI)s in small and medium sized hospitals, less than 400 beds. METHODS: We had web based surveillance for HAIs in 27 hospitals from August to October 2010. The surveillance performed in 1-2 ICUs and 1 general ward in each hospitals by CDC definition. And for the multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs), we reviewed all of blood culture results. RESULTS: We identified 319 HAIs among 269,436 patients days. The HAIs rate was 1.18 (CI 1.05-1.32)/1,000 patient-days. Urinary tract infection was the most common HAI (52.4%) in this study followed by pneumonia (18.9%), blood-stream infections (14.2%), surgical site infection (7.9%), and others (6.6%). There were 76.5% of device associated infections in UTI, 46.7% in BSI, and 18.3% in pneumonia. The rate of HAIs in ICU was higher than that of in general ward (4.6 vs 0.9/1,000 patient-days). However, the indwelling catheter associated urinary tract infection rate was lower in ICU (2.6 vs 4.4/1,000 device days). There were no significant differences in central line-associated blood stream infection rate (1.5 vs 1.8) and ventilator-associated pneumonia rate (3.0 vs 0.0). The common microorganisms found in HAIs were Escherichia coli (19.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (13.1%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.7%). Moreover, 90.9% of S. aureus were resistant to methicillin, and 38.2% of P. aeruginosa and 44.4% of Acinetobacter baumannii were resistant to imipenem. Total of 66 MDROs were isolated from blood culture and the result shows that the MRSA was 84.6% (56 case), carbapenmen-resistant Acinetobacter spp. was 10.6% (7 case), and vancomycin-resistant enterococci was 4.6% (3 case). CONCLUSION: The characteristics of HAIs in small and medium sized hospitals will be contributed to the decision making of governance policy for infection control and to provide comparable data for these hospitals.
Acinetobacter ; Acinetobacter baumannii ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Decision Making ; Escherichia coli ; Humans ; Imipenem ; Infection Control ; Methicillin ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Patients' Rooms ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Rivers ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Urinary Tract Infections