Purpose: Patient handovers are critical for patient safety. Studies have shown that nurses are often interrupted during handovers, and standardized guidelines are lacking. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a new handover method for emergency nurses. Methods: This quasi-experimental study implemented a new handover method from August 1, 2022, at the emergency department of a university hospital. Pre- (34 responses) and post-(16 responses, six months later) surveys and post-interviews (six participants) were conducted. In the pre-survey, data were collected regarding handover-related characteristics, cause of handover error, handover perception and handover error experience. Data regarding handover perception and handover error experience were obtained again at the post-survey. Wilcoxon’s signed rank test was used to compare handover perception and handover error experience. The interview results were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in information quality or interaction and support, but the new handover method was more efficient, and handover errors decreased. Four themes were identified from interview responses. Conclusion By providing a quiet place and allowing emergency nurses to independently review patient records during handovers, we expect to maintain nursing continuity, increase efficiency, and ultimately ensure patient safety and nurses’ job satisfaction.

Purpose: Patient handovers are critical for patient safety. Studies have shown that nurses are often interrupted during handovers, and standardized guidelines are lacking. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a new handover method for emergency nurses. Methods: This quasi-experimental study implemented a new handover method from August 1, 2022, at the emergency department of a university hospital. Pre- (34 responses) and post-(16 responses, six months later) surveys and post-interviews (six participants) were conducted. In the pre-survey, data were collected regarding handover-related characteristics, cause of handover error, handover perception and handover error experience. Data regarding handover perception and handover error experience were obtained again at the post-survey. Wilcoxon’s signed rank test was used to compare handover perception and handover error experience. The interview results were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in information quality or interaction and support, but the new handover method was more efficient, and handover errors decreased. Four themes were identified from interview responses. Conclusion By providing a quiet place and allowing emergency nurses to independently review patient records during handovers, we expect to maintain nursing continuity, increase efficiency, and ultimately ensure patient safety and nurses’ job satisfaction.

Purpose: Patient handovers are critical for patient safety. Studies have shown that nurses are often interrupted during handovers, and standardized guidelines are lacking. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a new handover method for emergency nurses. Methods: This quasi-experimental study implemented a new handover method from August 1, 2022, at the emergency department of a university hospital. Pre- (34 responses) and post-(16 responses, six months later) surveys and post-interviews (six participants) were conducted. In the pre-survey, data were collected regarding handover-related characteristics, cause of handover error, handover perception and handover error experience. Data regarding handover perception and handover error experience were obtained again at the post-survey. Wilcoxon’s signed rank test was used to compare handover perception and handover error experience. The interview results were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in information quality or interaction and support, but the new handover method was more efficient, and handover errors decreased. Four themes were identified from interview responses. Conclusion By providing a quiet place and allowing emergency nurses to independently review patient records during handovers, we expect to maintain nursing continuity, increase efficiency, and ultimately ensure patient safety and nurses’ job satisfaction.

Purpose: Patient handovers are critical for patient safety. Studies have shown that nurses are often interrupted during handovers, and standardized guidelines are lacking. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a new handover method for emergency nurses. Methods: This quasi-experimental study implemented a new handover method from August 1, 2022, at the emergency department of a university hospital. Pre- (34 responses) and post-(16 responses, six months later) surveys and post-interviews (six participants) were conducted. In the pre-survey, data were collected regarding handover-related characteristics, cause of handover error, handover perception and handover error experience. Data regarding handover perception and handover error experience were obtained again at the post-survey. Wilcoxon’s signed rank test was used to compare handover perception and handover error experience. The interview results were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in information quality or interaction and support, but the new handover method was more efficient, and handover errors decreased. Four themes were identified from interview responses. Conclusion By providing a quiet place and allowing emergency nurses to independently review patient records during handovers, we expect to maintain nursing continuity, increase efficiency, and ultimately ensure patient safety and nurses’ job satisfaction.

This study aimed to analyze the eluted components of syringe-type bis-acryl composites and to evaluate the effect of removing the oxygen-inhibited layer on cytotoxicity. Four different bis-acryl provisional composite materials-Protemp 4 (PT), Structur 2 SC (ST), Luxatemp Automix Plus (LT), and Hexa-Temp (HT)-were evaluated. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to analyze the composite eluate after 24 h of immersion in methanol. An agar overlay test and a live/dead assay were performed on the polymerized disc-shaped specimens after 24 h. To evaluate the effect of removing the oxygen-inhibited layer, samples were prepared with a surface oxygen-inhibited layer. The surface oxygen-inhibited layer of the disc-shaped specimens was removed with alcohol only (subgroup A) or with polishing and alcohol (subgroup PA), and their cytotoxicities were compared with those of “as received” (subgroup N) specimens using the WST-1 assay. Statistical significance was assessed using analyses of variance, followed by Bonferroni multiple comparison tests (α=0.05). Different components were detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis among the groups. The agar overlay assay confirmed severe cytotoxicity in HT, LT, and ST groups, whereas PT showed moderate cytotoxicity. The effect of removing the oxygen-inhibited layer on cell viability was significantly higher in PA than in N in all composite groups. In HT and ST, the cell viability was significantly higher in PA than in A. Syringe-type bis-acryl composites for provisional restorations may elute various components into the oral cavity, which may cause cytotoxicity in adjacent structures. The cytotoxicity of the materials is reduced by the removal of the oxygen-inhibited layer.

The Korean government’s strategy to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has focused on non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as social distancing and wearing masks, along with testing, tracing, and treatment; overall, its performance has been relatively good compared to that of many other countries heavily affected by COVID-19. However, little attention has been paid to health equity in measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to examine the unequal impacts of COVID-19 across socioeconomic groups and to suggest potential solutions to tackle these inequalities. The pathways linking social determinants and health could be entry points to tackle the unequal consequences of this public health emergency. It is crucial for infectious disease policy to consider social determinants of health including poor housing, precarious working conditions, disrupted healthcare services, and suspension of social services. Moreover, the high levels of uncertainty and complexity inherent in this public health emergency, as well as the health and socioeconomic inequalities caused by the pandemic, underscore the need for good governance other than top-down measures by the government. We emphasize that a people-centered perspective is a key approach during the pandemic era. Mutual trust between the state and civil society, strong accountability of the government, and civic participation are essential components of cooperative disaster governance.

Background: The fatality rate of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) varies among countries owing to demographics, patient comorbidities, surge capacity of healthcare systems, and the quality of medical care. We assessed the clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 during the first wave of the epidemic in Korea. Methods: Using a modified World Health Organization clinical record form, we obtained clinical data for 3,060 patients with COVID-19 treated at 55 hospitals in Korea. Disease severity scores were defined as: 1) no limitation of daily activities; 2) limitation of daily activities but no need for supplemental oxygen; 3) supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula; 4) supplemental oxygen via facial mask; 5) non-invasive mechanical ventilation; 6) invasive mechanical ventilation; 7) multi-organ failure or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy; and 8) death. Recovery was defined as a severity score of 1 or 2, or discharge and release from isolation. Results: The median age of the patients was 43 years of age; 43.6% were male. The median time from illness onset to admission was 5 days. Of the patients with a disease severity score of 3–4 on admission, 65 (71.5%) of the 91 patients recovered, and 7 (7.7%) died due to illness by day 28. Of the patients with disease severity scores of 5–7, 7 (19.5%) of the 36 patients recovered, and 8 (22.2%) died due to illness by day 28. None of the 1,324 patients who were < 50 years of age died; in contrast, the fatality rate due to illness by day 28 was 0.5% (2/375), 0.9% (2/215), 5.8% (6/104), and 14.0% (7/50) for the patients aged 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and ≥ 80 years of age, respectively. Conclusion In Korea, almost all patients of < 50 years of age with COVID-19 recovered without supplemental oxygen. In patients of ≥ 50 years of age, the fatality rate increased with age, reaching 14% in patients of ≥ 80 years of age.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect and safety of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program in high-risk cardiac patients and compare these results to those of control CR participants without high-risk criteria. METHODS: A total of 12 high-risk cardiac patients were recruited as subjects. The high-risk criteria were: advanced heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 30%, a recent history of cardiac arrest or dangerous arrhythmia, and cardiac device insertion. Another 12 CR participants without any high-risk criteria mentioned above were recruited as controls. Both groups underwent 6 to 8 weeks of CR exercise training. Exercise tolerance tests were performed before and after completion of the CR program. After CR completion, both groups were evaluated and their results were compared. RESULTS: After completion of the CR exercise program, both groups showed significant increases in peak oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)) and LVEF. In the control group (n=12), VO(2peak) increased from 25.9 to 31.8 mL/kg/min (changing rate, +21.4%±22.1%) and LVEF increased from 56.1% to 59.1% (changing rate, +5.3%±8.4%). In the high-risk group (n=12), VO(2peak) increased from 16.8 to 21.0 mL/kg/min (changing rate, +28.6%±21.4%) and LVEF increased from 26.1% to 29.4% (changing rate, +16.1%±12.9%). There was no serious cardiovascular event during all exercise hours. CONCLUSION: High-risk cardiac patients who completed a supervised CR program demonstrated significant improvements in VO(2peak) and LVEF without any serious cardiovascular event. The improvement rate was similar to that of control group.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Defibrillators ; Exercise Tolerance ; Heart Arrest ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Rehabilitation* ; Stroke Volume

BACKGROUND: Serum total bilirubin has been considered a harmful substance inducing oxidative reaction; but recently, there have been reports of it possessing antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and protective features against cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between total bilirubin and the Framingham risk score. METHODS: This study involved 3,414 healthy Korean men who underwent a medical check-up in a health promotion center in 2008. We calculated the Framingham risk score using age, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 44.9+/-8.8 years. The log transformed serum total bilirubin level and the Framingham risk score had a negative linear relationship in a simple linear regression analysis (R2: 0.018, P<0.001). In a multivariable analysis model, as well, the log transformed serum total bilirubin level and the Framingham risk score had a negative linear relationship (R2: 0.384, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a statistically significant negative relationship between total bilirubin and the Framingham risk score. Total bilirubin had a stronger relationship with the Framingham risk score than other standard cardiovascular risk factors except smoking, and thus may be useful in predicting cardiovascular risk in the outpatient clinic.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Bilirubin ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: Serum total bilirubin has been considered a harmful substance inducing oxidative reaction; but recently, there have been reports of it possessing antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and protective features against cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between total bilirubin and the Framingham risk score. METHODS: This study involved 3,414 healthy Korean men who underwent a medical check-up in a health promotion center in 2008. We calculated the Framingham risk score using age, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 44.9+/-8.8 years. The log transformed serum total bilirubin level and the Framingham risk score had a negative linear relationship in a simple linear regression analysis (R2: 0.018, P<0.001). In a multivariable analysis model, as well, the log transformed serum total bilirubin level and the Framingham risk score had a negative linear relationship (R2: 0.384, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a statistically significant negative relationship between total bilirubin and the Framingham risk score. Total bilirubin had a stronger relationship with the Framingham risk score than other standard cardiovascular risk factors except smoking, and thus may be useful in predicting cardiovascular risk in the outpatient clinic.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Bilirubin ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking