Comparison of Nurses' Job Satisfaction, Patients' Satisfaction and Direct Nursing Time according to the Change in Grade of the Nursing Management Fee / 중환자간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify nurses' job satisfaction, patients' satisfaction, and direct nursing time according to the change in grade of nursing management fee.METHODS: Descriptive design was used in this study. Nurses (n = 200) and patients (n = 200) were recruited from one university hospital in Busan. Four aspects were measured: direct nursing time, overtime, nurses' job satisfaction, and patients' satisfaction. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, χ2-tests, and t-tests.RESULTS: There was a significant difference in patient satisfaction (t = -2.09, p = .038) and direct nursing time (t = -4.77, p < .001) when the nurse staffing grade was changed from the level two to the level one.CONCLUSION: The findings from this study showed that a higher nurse-to-patient ratio can provide a greater amount of direct nursing time for individual patients and increase patient satisfaction.

Development and Evaluation of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Education Materials for Middle-aged Korean-Chinese Female Workers: Applying Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable Materials (PEMAT-P)

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the quality (understandability and actionability) of health education materials for Korean-Chinese (KC) female migrant workers, using Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable Materials (PEMAT-P). METHODS: Educational needs assessment was conducted with 3 focus groups with 20 KC women and a focus group with 4 community stakeholders. The quality of the educational materials was evaluated by 3 experts and a community stakeholder, followed by a survey with 15 KC women using 17 items for understandability and 7 items for actionability by means of a Korean version PEMAT-P. RESULTS: The health educational calendar consists of 12 subjects out of 9 topics related to healthy lifestyles for preventing cardiovascular diseases. The overall mean understandability score was 98.8% and the overall mean actionability was 100%. CONCLUSION: Involvement of KC women and community stakeholders in the development of educational materials was found to be an effective strategy for increasing understandability and actionability of educational materials for KC female migrant workers. This study also demonstrates the PEMAT-P is a useful evaluation tool, emphasizing the actionability of educational materials.

Association of cytochrome P4502D6 gene polymorphism with the susceptibility of heroin spongiform leucoencephalopathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To elucidate the relation between cytochrome P4502D6 (CYP2D6) gene polymorphism and the susceptibility of heroin spongiform leucoencephalopathy (HSLE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique, the cytochrome P4502D6 gene polymorphisms were analyzed in HSLE cases and control subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of CYP2D6 (CYP2D6/C188, CYP2D6/L2938, CYP2D6/G4268) gene mutations were higher in HSLE patients than in the controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The CYP2D6 gene mutation is associated with a high risk of HSLE.</p>

Clinical and neuroimaging features of heroin spongiform leukoencephalopathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the clinical and radiographic characteristics of heroin spongiform leukoencephalopathy (HSLE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A clinical analysis of 42 cases of HSLE was conducted.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Clinically, the patients with HSLE all had a positive history of inhalation of heated heroin vapor with acute or subacute onset in most cases, presenting initially cerebellar signs. Pyramidal tract lesion was frequently involved, but the sensory system usually remained normal. The consciousness disturbances may occur in the serious cases. Brain CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed extensive symmetric white matter lesions in the cerebrum and cerebellum, and in serious cases, the midbrain and pons could be damaged. Spongiform vacuoles degeneration of white matter characterized the predominant pathological changes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Spongiform leukoencephalopathy should be considered in a patient who shows acute cerebellar signs and reports a history of inhaling heated heroin vapor, and a definite diagnosis of HSLE can be made in such a case upon the identification of typical CT or MRI findings.</p>