Quality of Life and Family Burden in Cancer Patients / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study were to investigate the self-reported quality of life and family burden and to examine the factors associated with the quality of life in patients with cancer. METHODS: 216 patients participated in the cross-sectional study. The European Group of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Family Burden Scale were sent by mail to 2,000 cancer patients. Two hundred and sixteen patients answered the questionnaire. The stepwise multiple regression was conducted to analyze predictors of overall quality of life. RESULTS: All subscales of EORTC QLQ-C30 were significantly correlated with family burden. The regression analysis of patients with cancer revealed some variables as significant predictors; performance, perceived severity, family burden, time since diagnosis, and sex. CONCLUSION: The results offer a number of recommendations for future research and nursing practice focused on primary care for patients with cancer and their family for improving quality of life.

Outcomes of Resuscitation in Tertiary Emergency Department by In-Hospital Utstein Style

BACKGROUND: To assess and report the outcomes of resuscitation, we apply the 1997 published In-Hospital Utstein Style to an actual emergency department. This study was designed to develope the data base for comparing and studing the outcomes of resuscitation. METHODS: This study was carried out in a tertiary hospital from July 1998 to June 1999. The subjects were adult patients over the age of 20 years who received resuscitation at the emergency department. After making out the protocol for the In-Hospital Utstein Style, we gathered data prospectively. RESULTS: Among 51,347 patients, 36 patients received 42 resuscitations. Forty-two(42) cases(100%) had witnessed arrest. Advance life support(ALS) intervention at the time of cardiac arrest included intravenous catheterization, 41cases(97.6 %); intravenous drug injection, 20 cases(47.6%); endotracheal intubation, 20 cases(47.6%); and artificial ventilation, 12 cases(28.6%). Immediate causes of cardiac arrest were respiratory depression, 11 cases(26.2%); hypotension, 11 cases(26.2 %); metabolic, 9 cases(21.4%); and myocardial ischemia/infarction, 5 cases(11.9%). Initial EKG ryhthms were pulseless electrical activity, 31 cases(73.8 %); ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation, 6 cases(14.3%); and asystole, 5 cases(11.9%). the average interval from cardiac arrest to initial defibrillation was 1.8+/-2.2 minutes, and the average interval from cardiac arrest to epinephrine injection was 2.6+/-3.1 minutes. The average duration of resuscitation was 22.6+/-18.4 minutes. Return of spontaneous circulation occured in 26 cases/42 case(61.9%). Of the 2 survivng patients who were discharged, 1 patient is still alive after 6 months, and the other is still alive after 1 year. CONCLUSION: Although the In-Hospital Utstein Style has many complementary factors, its results were very objective thus use of the In-Hospital Utstein Style is recommended for determining the outcomes of resuscitation.