Background: Healthcare-associated infections impose a significant burden on antibiotic usage, healthcare expenditures, and morbidity. Therefore, it is crucial to revise policies to minimize such losses. This nationwide survey aimed to evaluate infection prevention and control (IPC) components in healthcare facilities and encourage improvements in acute care hospitals with inadequate infection prevention settings. This study aims to enhance the infection control capabilities of healthcare facilities. Methods: From December 27, 2021, to May 13, 2022, we conducted a survey of 1,767 acute care hospitals in the Republic of Korea. A survey was conducted to evaluate the infection control components in 1,767 acute care hospitals. Infection control officers provided direct responses to a systematically developed questionnaire. Subsequently, 10% of the respondents were randomly selected for the site investigation. Results: Overall, 1,197 (67.7%) hospitals responded to the online survey. On-site investigations were conducted at 125 hospitals. Hospitals with ≥ 150 beds are advised to have an IPC team under Article 3 of the Medical Service Act; however, only 87.0% (598/687) of hospitals with ≥ 100 beds had one. Conversely, 22.7% (116/510) of hospitals with < 100 beds had an IPC team. Regulations for hand hygiene, waste management, healthcare worker protection and safety, environmental cleaning, standard precautions, and prevention of the transmission of multidrug-resistant pathogens were present in 84.2%, 80.1%, 77.4%, 76.2%, 75.8%, and 63.5% of the hospitals, respectively. Hospitals with < 100 beds had low availability of all categories of standard operating procedures. Conclusion This study is the first national survey of acute care hospitals in the Republic of Korea. The data presented in the current study will improve the understanding of IPC status and will help establish a survey system. Our survey provides a basis for improving policies related to IPC in healthcare facilities.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections impose a significant burden on antibiotic usage, healthcare expenditures, and morbidity. Therefore, it is crucial to revise policies to minimize such losses. This nationwide survey aimed to evaluate infection prevention and control (IPC) components in healthcare facilities and encourage improvements in acute care hospitals with inadequate infection prevention settings. This study aims to enhance the infection control capabilities of healthcare facilities. Methods: From December 27, 2021, to May 13, 2022, we conducted a survey of 1,767 acute care hospitals in the Republic of Korea. A survey was conducted to evaluate the infection control components in 1,767 acute care hospitals. Infection control officers provided direct responses to a systematically developed questionnaire. Subsequently, 10% of the respondents were randomly selected for the site investigation. Results: Overall, 1,197 (67.7%) hospitals responded to the online survey. On-site investigations were conducted at 125 hospitals. Hospitals with ≥ 150 beds are advised to have an IPC team under Article 3 of the Medical Service Act; however, only 87.0% (598/687) of hospitals with ≥ 100 beds had one. Conversely, 22.7% (116/510) of hospitals with < 100 beds had an IPC team. Regulations for hand hygiene, waste management, healthcare worker protection and safety, environmental cleaning, standard precautions, and prevention of the transmission of multidrug-resistant pathogens were present in 84.2%, 80.1%, 77.4%, 76.2%, 75.8%, and 63.5% of the hospitals, respectively. Hospitals with < 100 beds had low availability of all categories of standard operating procedures. Conclusion This study is the first national survey of acute care hospitals in the Republic of Korea. The data presented in the current study will improve the understanding of IPC status and will help establish a survey system. Our survey provides a basis for improving policies related to IPC in healthcare facilities.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections impose a significant burden on antibiotic usage, healthcare expenditures, and morbidity. Therefore, it is crucial to revise policies to minimize such losses. This nationwide survey aimed to evaluate infection prevention and control (IPC) components in healthcare facilities and encourage improvements in acute care hospitals with inadequate infection prevention settings. This study aims to enhance the infection control capabilities of healthcare facilities. Methods: From December 27, 2021, to May 13, 2022, we conducted a survey of 1,767 acute care hospitals in the Republic of Korea. A survey was conducted to evaluate the infection control components in 1,767 acute care hospitals. Infection control officers provided direct responses to a systematically developed questionnaire. Subsequently, 10% of the respondents were randomly selected for the site investigation. Results: Overall, 1,197 (67.7%) hospitals responded to the online survey. On-site investigations were conducted at 125 hospitals. Hospitals with ≥ 150 beds are advised to have an IPC team under Article 3 of the Medical Service Act; however, only 87.0% (598/687) of hospitals with ≥ 100 beds had one. Conversely, 22.7% (116/510) of hospitals with < 100 beds had an IPC team. Regulations for hand hygiene, waste management, healthcare worker protection and safety, environmental cleaning, standard precautions, and prevention of the transmission of multidrug-resistant pathogens were present in 84.2%, 80.1%, 77.4%, 76.2%, 75.8%, and 63.5% of the hospitals, respectively. Hospitals with < 100 beds had low availability of all categories of standard operating procedures. Conclusion This study is the first national survey of acute care hospitals in the Republic of Korea. The data presented in the current study will improve the understanding of IPC status and will help establish a survey system. Our survey provides a basis for improving policies related to IPC in healthcare facilities.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections impose a significant burden on antibiotic usage, healthcare expenditures, and morbidity. Therefore, it is crucial to revise policies to minimize such losses. This nationwide survey aimed to evaluate infection prevention and control (IPC) components in healthcare facilities and encourage improvements in acute care hospitals with inadequate infection prevention settings. This study aims to enhance the infection control capabilities of healthcare facilities. Methods: From December 27, 2021, to May 13, 2022, we conducted a survey of 1,767 acute care hospitals in the Republic of Korea. A survey was conducted to evaluate the infection control components in 1,767 acute care hospitals. Infection control officers provided direct responses to a systematically developed questionnaire. Subsequently, 10% of the respondents were randomly selected for the site investigation. Results: Overall, 1,197 (67.7%) hospitals responded to the online survey. On-site investigations were conducted at 125 hospitals. Hospitals with ≥ 150 beds are advised to have an IPC team under Article 3 of the Medical Service Act; however, only 87.0% (598/687) of hospitals with ≥ 100 beds had one. Conversely, 22.7% (116/510) of hospitals with < 100 beds had an IPC team. Regulations for hand hygiene, waste management, healthcare worker protection and safety, environmental cleaning, standard precautions, and prevention of the transmission of multidrug-resistant pathogens were present in 84.2%, 80.1%, 77.4%, 76.2%, 75.8%, and 63.5% of the hospitals, respectively. Hospitals with < 100 beds had low availability of all categories of standard operating procedures. Conclusion This study is the first national survey of acute care hospitals in the Republic of Korea. The data presented in the current study will improve the understanding of IPC status and will help establish a survey system. Our survey provides a basis for improving policies related to IPC in healthcare facilities.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the presence of autoantigens in the gastric juices of children. Methods: Gastric juice and serum samples were obtained from 53 children <15 years of age who underwent gastric endoscopy. Among these, 8, 22, and 23 participants were in the age groups 0–5, 6–10, and 11–15 years, respectively. These samples were analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), immunoblot analysis, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of-flight mass spectrometry. Furthermore, we reviewed the histopathological findings and urease test results and compared them with the results of 2-DE and immunoblot analysis. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in urease test positivity, grades of chronic gastritis, active gastritis, or Helicobacter pylori infiltration of the antrum and body among the three age groups. Three distinct patterns of gastric juice were observed on 2-DE. Pattern I was the most common, and pattern III was not observed below the age of 5 years.Histopathological findings were significantly different among active gastritis (p=0.037) and H. pylori infiltration (p=0.060) in the gastric body. The immunoblots showed large spots at an approximate pH of 3–4 and molecular weights of 31–45 kDa. These distinct, large positive spots were identified as gastric lipase and pepsin A and C. Conclusion Three enzymes, which are normally secreted under acidic conditions were identified as autoantigens. Further investigation of the pathophysiology and function of autoantigens in the stomach is required.

Background: In South Korea, there have been few nationwide epidemiologic studies about premalignant actinic keratosis (AK), squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen’s disease), nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), malignant melanoma of the skin (MM), Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), connective and soft tissue cancers, or mycosis fungoides (MF). Objective: Using a nationwide population-based study, we attempted to measure the incidence and the prevalence of the above-mentioned tumors in South Korea. Methods: The database we used included all claims in the Korean National Health Insurance program and the Korean Medical Aid program from 2008 to 2016. The International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) was used to record diagnoses in this database. This data included AK, Bowen’s disease, NMSC, MM, KS, connective and soft tissue cancers, and MF. Results: The age-standardized incidence and prevalence rate of AK, Bowen’s disease, NMSC, MM, KS, connective and soft tissue cancers, as well as MF increased during the periods we investigated. The incidence and prevalence rate of AK and NMSC have increased two- to three-fold. In the case of Bowen’s disease, MM, KS, connective and soft tissue cancers, or MF, we observed no significant tendency in age-standardized incidence or prevalence. Conclusion We confirmed that the age-standardized incidence and prevalence rates of NMSC and AK tended to increase. These results might contribute to developing preventive and therapeutic strategies for skin cancers and may become a source for further studies.

Web in common bile duct (CBD web) is very rare. It is usually asymptomatic and detected incidentally during surgery for other causes in adults. It can be congenital or acquired, however congenital CBD web is extremely rare. Currently, despite its invasiveness and complications, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is considered as a useful diagnostic and therapeutic modality in children with hepatobiliary pancreatic diseases as in adults. Herein we report a case of congenital CBD web presenting with acute pancreatitis and choledocholithiasis in a 4-year-old girl which was diagnosed and treated using balloon dilation under ERCP. After balloon dilation of the web, a common pancreatobiliary channel was observed. To the best of our knowledge, a case of congenital CBD web with pancreatobiliary junctional abnormality treated using ERCP in a child has not been reported to date.

Treatments aimed at eradicating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections in children and adolescents should be clearly beneficial. According to the updated guidelines, a 14-day triple therapy or bismuth-based triple therapy is the first choice for treatment of children based on the results of antimicrobial sensitivity testing. Though culturing H. pylori using biopsy specimens is not always feasible, it should be performed for establishing empirical rescue therapy for patients not responding to first-line eradication therapy. The European and North American therapeutic strategies for children and adolescents with H. pylori infections may not be appropriate for treating children and adolescents in other countries owing to regional differences in epidemiological characteristics of H. pylori. The existence of clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori is an important factor involved in eradication failure. The development of new treatment-related allergies, treatment failure, side effects, and alteration of the gut microbiome have been highlighted as factors potentially outweighing the possible benefit of preventing future peptic ulcers or gastric cancer. Drug compliance can be improved by providing a detailed explanation of the reason for therapy, duration, and routes of drug administration. Physicians should understand the mechanisms underlying eradication treatment and explain drug prescriptions in detail to both parents and children to increase compliance. Herein, we reviewed the indications for and various modalities of eradication treatment in children with H. pylori infections in accordance with a review of recently published articles.

Treatments aimed at eradicating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections in children and adolescents should be clearly beneficial. According to the updated guidelines, a 14-day triple therapy or bismuth-based triple therapy is the first choice for treatment of children based on the results of antimicrobial sensitivity testing. Though culturing H. pylori using biopsy specimens is not always feasible, it should be performed for establishing empirical rescue therapy for patients not responding to first-line eradication therapy. The European and North American therapeutic strategies for children and adolescents with H. pylori infections may not be appropriate for treating children and adolescents in other countries owing to regional differences in epidemiological characteristics of H. pylori. The existence of clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori is an important factor involved in eradication failure. The development of new treatment-related allergies, treatment failure, side effects, and alteration of the gut microbiome have been highlighted as factors potentially outweighing the possible benefit of preventing future peptic ulcers or gastric cancer. Drug compliance can be improved by providing a detailed explanation of the reason for therapy, duration, and routes of drug administration. Physicians should understand the mechanisms underlying eradication treatment and explain drug prescriptions in detail to both parents and children to increase compliance. Herein, we reviewed the indications for and various modalities of eradication treatment in children with H. pylori infections in accordance with a review of recently published articles.

Web in common bile duct (CBD web) is very rare. It is usually asymptomatic and detected incidentally during surgery for other causes in adults. It can be congenital or acquired, however congenital CBD web is extremely rare. Currently, despite its invasiveness and complications, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is considered as a useful diagnostic and therapeutic modality in children with hepatobiliary pancreatic diseases as in adults. Herein we report a case of congenital CBD web presenting with acute pancreatitis and choledocholithiasis in a 4-year-old girl which was diagnosed and treated using balloon dilation under ERCP. After balloon dilation of the web, a common pancreatobiliary channel was observed. To the best of our knowledge, a case of congenital CBD web with pancreatobiliary junctional abnormality treated using ERCP in a child has not been reported to date.