Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has occurred since the end of 2019, has caused tremendous damage not only in terms of disease and death but also in terms of economy. Accordingly, governments implemented health and quarantine policies to prevent the transmission and spread of COVID-19 and minimize economic effects, and implemented various countermeasures to reduce social and economic damage. However, the damage varies from country to country, and there are differences in the response of each government. Methods: Using 2020 data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries, the effectiveness of governments’ quarantine and economic policies in response to COVID-19 was calculated, and what factors determine the effectiveness were analyzed. While most of the previous studies analyzed the relationship between the government’s quarantine policy and corona transmission and death, this study is characterized by considering the economic aspect in addition. Results: As a result of the analysis, the following results were obtained. First, when economic aspects are not considered, Asian and European countries have similar levels of efficiency, but when economic aspects are taken into account, Asian countries have higher efficiency. Second, population density had a negative effect on the efficiency of each country’s policy, and long-term orientation was found to have an important impact when considering the economic aspect. Conclusion We found that the governance index is an important variable influencing the efficiency, which shows that the effectiveness of government policies in response to the coronavirus depends heavily on the trust relationship between the government and the people.

Purpose: : This study aimed to examine the relationships of burnout and compassion competency with job satisfaction among nurses working in the intensive care units and emergency rooms. Methods: : A correlational survey was conducted from August 1 to August 14, 2018 and involved in 102 nurses working at four university hospitals for more than 1 year. A structured questionnaire was used to measure burnout, compassion competency, and job satisfaction, and data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression and mediation effect analysis. Results: : The mean scores of burnout, compassion competency, and job satisfaction were 2.58, 4.35, and 2.95, respectively. Burnout and compassion competency along with working night shifts and a wish to transfer explained 35.3% of variance in job satisfaction. Compassion competency showed a small but significant mediating effect in the relationship between burnout and job satisfaction (indirect effect -.0446, 95% CI -.1133, -.0075). Conclusion : Burnout and compassion competency were the significant influencing factors of job satisfaction among nurses working in intensive care units and emergency rooms. Since compassion competency showed a significant mediating effect, further studies should focus on intervention strategies for compassion competency to improve job satisfaction in this population.

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis analyzed the effects of 2% chlorhexidine bathing on the incidence of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) in adult intensive care units. Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane library, and RISS database were systematically searched, and 12 randomized studies were included in the analysis. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3.0 was used to calculate the effect size using the odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analysis was performed according to the specific infection and intervention types. Results: In general, 2% chlorhexidine bathing has a significant effect on the incidence of HAI (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.40~0.86) and MDRO (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.34~0.79). Subgroup analyses show 2% chlorhexidine bathing is effective in bloodstream infections (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.39~0.66) but not for urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia infections, and Clostridium difficile infections. Moreover, 2% chlorhexidine bathing alone or its combination with other interventions has a significant effect on the incidence of HAI and MDRO (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38~0.92). Conclusion This meta-analysis reveals that 2% chlorhexidine bathing significantly reduces the incidence of HAI and MDRO in intensive care units. The effect of 2% chlorhexidine bathing on pediatric patients or patients at general wards should be further assessed as a cost-effective intervention for infection control.

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis analyzed the effects of 2% chlorhexidine bathing on the incidence of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) in adult intensive care units. Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane library, and RISS database were systematically searched, and 12 randomized studies were included in the analysis. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3.0 was used to calculate the effect size using the odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analysis was performed according to the specific infection and intervention types. Results: In general, 2% chlorhexidine bathing has a significant effect on the incidence of HAI (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.40~0.86) and MDRO (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.34~0.79). Subgroup analyses show 2% chlorhexidine bathing is effective in bloodstream infections (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.39~0.66) but not for urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia infections, and Clostridium difficile infections. Moreover, 2% chlorhexidine bathing alone or its combination with other interventions has a significant effect on the incidence of HAI and MDRO (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38~0.92). Conclusion This meta-analysis reveals that 2% chlorhexidine bathing significantly reduces the incidence of HAI and MDRO in intensive care units. The effect of 2% chlorhexidine bathing on pediatric patients or patients at general wards should be further assessed as a cost-effective intervention for infection control.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of the Tai Chi exercise program on cognitive function among older adults at risk of dementia living in rural areas. Methods: A non-equivalent control group with a pretest-posttest design was used. Forty-four subjects at risk of dementia aged over 75 were recruited from the dementia care center in O county. The experimental group participated in the Tai Chi exercise program twice a week for one-hour session for 12 weeks, while the control group received the routine management from the dementia care center. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 24.0 program with descriptive statistics, x2 test, and Mann-Whitney test, t-test and ANCOVA. Results: The significant improvement was found in cognitive function (F=4.72, p=.036) and attention (F=4.44, p=.041) for the Tai Chi exercise group compared to the control group. No adverse events have been notified during the intervention. Conclusion The study findings suggest that Tai Chi exercise program is safely and effectively applied to older adults at risk of dementia, revealing the potential benefits to improve cognitive function in this population. Further studies are warranted to explore the relationship between physical exercise and cognitive function in older adults with various types of cognitive impairment.

Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to analyze the effects of smoking prevention programs for young adolescents at early smoking stages to identify the appropriate characteristics of prevention programs for this population. Methods: Searches of health-related databases and Google Scholar were conducted, and 23 randomized studies were included in the analysis. The main outcome variable was smoking behavior. The analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (version 3.0). Results: Smoking prevention programs significantly reduced smoking behaviors (OR=0.85, 95% CI=0.77~0.93). School-based programs (OR=0.79, 95% CI=0.75~0.83), programs by trained teachers or educators (OR=0.77, 95% CI=0.71~0.83), high-intensity programs (OR=0.82, 95% CI=0.75~0.91), and programs in an in-school setting (OR=0.82, 95% CI=0.74~0.90) had the most significant effect on reducing smoking behavior. Conclusion For young adolescents, smoking prevention programs are most effective when they are school-based or highintensity programs, and when conducted by teachers or educators with proper training. Further studies are required since there was insufficient research to explore the effect of web-based programs or family-centered programs on adolescent smokers.

PURPOSE: This study was done to examine incidence of diarrhea and explore factors influencing occurrence of diarrhea in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU). METHODS: For this retrospective research, data based on inclusion criteria were collected from the electronic medical records for 142 patients admitted to a university hospital ICU from September 2014 to August 2015. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS/WIN 22.0 program. RESULTS: Incidence of diarrhea was 53.5% during the 12-month study period. Diarrhea occurred at 4.54 days and continued for 1.79 days on average. Average total frequency of diarrhea was 5.56 times. Increased ICU stay, enteral nutrition, and infection state were significant predictors of the occurrence of diarrhea. Infection increased risk of diarrhea 3.4 times and enteral nutrition increased risk of diarrhea to 2.2 times greater than patients not receivng enteral nutrition. CONCLUSION Diarrhea in ICU patients is associated with multiple factors that should be considered to implement preventive strategies. Infection control should be emphasized, and close monitoring of diarrhea should be provided for those with enteral nutrition. Further studies are warranted to determine standardized clinical definition of diarrhea and diarrhea risk factors in ICU patients with different levels of severity and comorbidity.

PURPOSE: The purposes of the study were to examine the knowledge and practice about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) isolation precaution, and to explore influencing factors of the isolation practice among hospital nurses. METHODS: A total of 182 nurses were recruited from four general hospitals where MERS patients had been treated. The knowledge and practice of MERS isolation precaution were measured by the scales developed based on the CDC guidelines. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS/WIN 22 with descriptive statistics, T-test, One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierachical multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The nurses were 30 years old in average, and half of them had less than 5 years of clinical experience. and knowledge on droplet precautions (β=.171, p=.019) were the significant predictors, explaining 19.6% of variance in the MERS isolation guideline practice. Clinical experience (β=.225, p=.002), working at infection unit (β=−.203, p=.011). CONCLUSION: The knowledge on droplet precaution and general knowledge on MERS were the important modifiable factor to improve the MERS isolation guideline practice among hospital nurses, even after adjusting clinical experience and demographic variables. It is necessary to develop an efficient education program on specific guidelines for prevention and management of infection by improving the knowledge on infectious disease such as MERS as well as droplet precaution which are modifiable factors.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Communicable Diseases ; Coronavirus Infections ; Education ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Middle East ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: The focus of the study was on the selection-optimization-compensation (SOC) strategy to predict successful aging mediated by dyspnea symptoms in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The model was constructed based on the hypotheses that coping strategy and social support of the elders predict successful aging through the SOC strategies. METHODS: Participants were 218 outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease recruited for the study. Data collection was done from March 25 to September 11, 2015, and analyzed using SPSSWIN 22.0 and AMOS 21.0. RESULTS: The hypothetical model appeared to be fit to the data. Seven of eight hypotheses selected for hypothetical model were statistically significant. The SOC strategy has only significant indirect effects through dyspnea symptoms on successful aging. Coping strategy, social support, SOC strategies and dyspnea symptoms explained 62% of variance in successful aging. CONCLUSION: The SOC strategies with social support and dyspnea symptoms significantly explained successful aging among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nursing strategies should be focused on social support and coping strategies to optimize SOC strategies so that older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are able to manage dyspnea symptoms and eventually achieve successful aging.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Adult ; Aging* ; Data Collection ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Nursing ; Outpatients ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*

PURPOSE: This study aimed to estimate the appropriate nurse staffing ratio in intensive care units (ICUs) by measuring nursing workload based on patient's severity and needs, using the Korean Patient Classification System for critical care nurses.METHODS: The data were collected from January 18 to February 29, 2016 using a standardized checklist by observation or self-report. During the study period, 723 patients were included to be categorized from I to IV using the patient classification system. Measurement of total nursing workload on a shift was calculated in terms of hours based on the time and motion method by using tools for surveying nursing activities. The nursing activities were categorized as direct nursing care, indirect nursing care, and personal time. Total of 127 cases were included in measuring direct nursing time and 18 nurses participated in measuring indirect and personal time. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.RESULTS: Two patients were classified into Class I (11.1%), 5 into Class II (27.8%), 9 into Class III (50%), and two into Class IV (11.1%). The amount of direct nursing care required for Class IV (513.7 min) was significantly more than that required for Class I (135.4 min). Direct and indirect nursing care was provided more often during the day shift as compared to the evening or night shifts. These findings provided the rationale for determining the appropriate ratio for nursing staff per shift based on the nursing workload in each shift.CONCLUSIONS: An appropriate ratio of nurse staffing should be ensured in ICUs to re-arrange the workload of nurses to help them provide essential direct care for patients.
Checklist ; Classification ; Critical Care ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Methods ; Nursing Care ; Nursing Staff ; Nursing