The multi-decade household humidifier disinfectant poisoning tragedy (HHDT) in South Korea highlights the importance of investigating government failures. This study aims to identify and discuss key failures and shortcomings in the South Korean authorities’ approach to regulating humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and monitoring cases of chemical poisoning. We reviewed both the HD risk prevention measures that the South Korean Ministry of Environment (KME) should have implemented under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) (1991–2013).Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG), a new chemical, was approved for use as a disinfectant under the TCCA. KME declared PHMG non-hazardous based solely on preproduction documentation provided by the industry. In addition, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCPA) failed to detect the HHDT that had accumulated each year for more than a decade. KME’s neglect of its responsibilities, coupled with KDCPA’s lack of chemical poisoning surveillance systems, led to the accumulation of widespread HHDT.

The multi-decade household humidifier disinfectant poisoning tragedy (HHDT) in South Korea highlights the importance of investigating government failures. This study aims to identify and discuss key failures and shortcomings in the South Korean authorities’ approach to regulating humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and monitoring cases of chemical poisoning. We reviewed both the HD risk prevention measures that the South Korean Ministry of Environment (KME) should have implemented under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) (1991–2013).Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG), a new chemical, was approved for use as a disinfectant under the TCCA. KME declared PHMG non-hazardous based solely on preproduction documentation provided by the industry. In addition, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCPA) failed to detect the HHDT that had accumulated each year for more than a decade. KME’s neglect of its responsibilities, coupled with KDCPA’s lack of chemical poisoning surveillance systems, led to the accumulation of widespread HHDT.

The multi-decade household humidifier disinfectant poisoning tragedy (HHDT) in South Korea highlights the importance of investigating government failures. This study aims to identify and discuss key failures and shortcomings in the South Korean authorities’ approach to regulating humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and monitoring cases of chemical poisoning. We reviewed both the HD risk prevention measures that the South Korean Ministry of Environment (KME) should have implemented under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) (1991–2013).Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG), a new chemical, was approved for use as a disinfectant under the TCCA. KME declared PHMG non-hazardous based solely on preproduction documentation provided by the industry. In addition, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCPA) failed to detect the HHDT that had accumulated each year for more than a decade. KME’s neglect of its responsibilities, coupled with KDCPA’s lack of chemical poisoning surveillance systems, led to the accumulation of widespread HHDT.

The multi-decade household humidifier disinfectant poisoning tragedy (HHDT) in South Korea highlights the importance of investigating government failures. This study aims to identify and discuss key failures and shortcomings in the South Korean authorities’ approach to regulating humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and monitoring cases of chemical poisoning. We reviewed both the HD risk prevention measures that the South Korean Ministry of Environment (KME) should have implemented under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) (1991–2013).Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG), a new chemical, was approved for use as a disinfectant under the TCCA. KME declared PHMG non-hazardous based solely on preproduction documentation provided by the industry. In addition, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCPA) failed to detect the HHDT that had accumulated each year for more than a decade. KME’s neglect of its responsibilities, coupled with KDCPA’s lack of chemical poisoning surveillance systems, led to the accumulation of widespread HHDT.

Purpose: This study aimed to confirm the mediating effect of work-life balance organizational culture in the relationship between work-life balance and quality of nursing service for clinical nurses. Methods: Participants included 224 nurses from four hospitals located in D city. Data was collected from 3 to 21 August 2020 using a self-report questionnaires.Descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used for analysis. The mediating effect was assessed by Baron and Kenny's three-step hierarchical regression analysis and bootstrapping methods. Results: There were significant relationships between work-life balance and work-life balance organizational culture (r=.45, p<.001), work-life balance and quality of nursing service (r=.18, p=.005), and work-life balance organizational culture and quality of nursing service (r=.34, p<.001). Also, work-life balance organizational culture (β=.32, p<.001) showed a total mediating effect on the relationship between work-life balance and quality of nursing service. Conclusion The development and provision of programs that can improve the work-life balance and establish an organizational culture that supports it will help improve the quality of nursing services.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify how job stress and teaching efficacy impacted organizational commitment. Methods: Data were collected from 158 nursing professors via an online survey, from Jan to June 2019. Results The study found that four factors affected the organizational commitment of nursing professors: i) type of nursing institution in which they are currently employed (β=-.16, p=.030), ii) position as an assistant professor (β=-.37, p=.012) and an associate professor (β=-.44, p=.002), iii) salary in the 50-59 million won range (β=.20, p=.024), and above 60 million won (β=.41, p<.001), and iv) professor’s teaching efficacy (β=-.18, p<.016). Conclusion: To increase the organizational commitment of four-year university professors, job characteristics should be considered. In the case of lower positions and salaries, additional compensation and programs that increase school affiliation should be introduced. Teaching methods training, lecture evaluation monitoring programs, and clinical training may also improve teaching efficacy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the influencing factors on Predictors of depression in disability with hearing impairment. Methods: Data from the secondary data (The 2014 National Survey of the Disabled Persons) were obtained, and subjects of hearing impaired 190,323 who responded certainly yes or no answer to the question were selected. x2 and t-test analysis were used to compare the potential predictors between depression and non-depression group. Significant factors were entered in Logistic regression analysis to identify the predictors of depression. Results: The prevalence of depression was 5.7% (n=10,769) in disability with hearing impairment. Life satisfaction, go out alone, subjective economic status, medical examination, level of disability, disability aids from social services, satisfaction of leisure activities, awareness of discrimination, disability awareness in healthcare provider, hearing aids use and age were shown significant differences in depression and non-depression. Life satisfaction (OR=11.04 [10.20~11.96]) and go out alone (OR=3.52 [3.22~3.83]) were found to be the most influential risk factors for depression in disability with hearing impairment. Conclusion To prevent depression in disability with hearing impairment, affected factors such as life and leisure activities satisfaction, level of physical dependence, economic status, hearing aids, and social inequalities should be monitored.

PURPOSE: This descriptive study investigated the effects of authentic leadership and coworker support on psychological well-being of staff nurses. METHODS: The participants were 166 staff nurse working in university hospital located in D city. Data were collected from July 1 2017 to 31, 2017. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and hierarchical regression. RESULTS: The regression model that included demographics and coworker support explained about 40.0% of psychological well-being. Marital status, nurse satisfaction, turnover experience, and coworker support were the predictors of psychological well-being in staff nurses. CONCLUSION: Coworker support was an important predictor of the psychological well-being of staff nurse. Therefore, strategics to improve coworker support are needed to increase psychological well-being in the clinical field.
Demography ; Leadership ; Marital Status ; Statistics as Topic

PURPOSE: This descriptive study investigated the effects of authentic leadership and coworker support on psychological well-being of staff nurses. METHODS: The participants were 166 staff nurse working in university hospital located in D city. Data were collected from July 1 2017 to 31, 2017. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and hierarchical regression. RESULTS: The regression model that included demographics and coworker support explained about 40.0% of psychological well-being. Marital status, nurse satisfaction, turnover experience, and coworker support were the predictors of psychological well-being in staff nurses. CONCLUSION Coworker support was an important predictor of the psychological well-being of staff nurse. Therefore, strategics to improve coworker support are needed to increase psychological well-being in the clinical field.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of Diabetes Empowerment Measurement Scale Short Form (DES-SF) for use with diabetic patients in Korea. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was used with 107 participants. Bilingual nursing professionals performed translation and reverse translation. Reliability and validity such as face validity, construct validity, and concurrent validity were conducted. To assess the concurrent validity, the correlation coefficients between the Korean version of the DES-SF and a concurrent scale (Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale, DSES) were calculated. RESULTS: In the explanatory factor analysis, a uni-dimension was proposed, the one factor accounted for 49.4% of total variances. The Korean version of the DES-SF correlated with a concurrent variable such DSES for reliability of the Korean version of the DES-SF, Cronbach's α=.85. CONCLUSION: The findings show that the Korean version of the DES-SF is reliable and valid for evaluating empowerment in patients with diabetes in Korea.
Humans ; Korea ; Nursing ; Power (Psychology)* ; Reproducibility of Results*