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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing the nursing practice readiness of newly graduated nurses. @*Methods@#The participants were 120 new nurses with 1 to 12 months of work experience at two tertiary hospitals in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. The data were collected through an online questionnaire from February 6 to April 30, 2023. The collected data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS 25 program, and the independent t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and a multiple regression analysis were performed. @*Results@#The participants’ nursing practice readiness was found to be positively correlated with their confidence in core nursing skill performance, satisfaction with clinical practice, satisfaction concerning simulation education, satisfaction regarding preceptorship, length of preceptorship and length of current unit placement. The regression analysis showed that the significant variables affecting nursing practice readiness were confidence in core nursing skill performance and satisfaction with clinical practice, and the explanatory power of the variables on nursing practice readiness was 36.0%. @*Conclusion@#In order for newly graduated nurses to achieve nursing practice readiness, it is necessary to develop a nursing education program that can improve their confidence in core nursing skills performance and satisfaction with clinical practice in the nursing college curriculum and further research on the factors affecting nursing practice readiness is needed.
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We report the results of investigating and managing a tuberculosis (TB) exposure in a postpartum care center. Among the contacts exposed to a nursing assistant with subclinical TB, 5 of 44 neonates (11.4%) had positive tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) at 3 months of age, and all the TST-positive neonates received the Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination. Seven of 28 healthcare workers (25.0%) and 1 of 3 household contacts (33.3%) were positive in the initial or repeated interferon-gamma release assay. None of the contacts developed TB disease during the study period. Annual TB examinations of healthcare personnel at a postpartum care center under the Tuberculosis Prevention Act in South Korea enabled the early detection of subclinical TB, which reduced the risk of transmission to neonates under strict coronavirus disease 2019 prevention measures.
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Purpose@#This study is to understand the experiences of people with serious mental illness following adjustment to independent living. @*Methods@#Aphenomenological research approach was used. Research participants were recruited from community psychiatric rehabilitation centers where they received the support for successfully independent living in the community. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 20 research participants from September 2019 to August 2021. The collected data were analyzed using the phenomenological analysis method previously described by Giorgi. @*Results@#Four major themes emerged from our analysis: (1) feeling free in everyday life changed when they started living independently; (2) being the owner of my life; (3) feeling surrounded by barriers at the start of independent living; and (4) required efforts and support for fully living independently. @*Conclusion@#Our study findings encourage fundamental understanding of benefits and difficulties in adjusting to independent living and the adjustment process among people with serious mental illness through in-depth analysis of their experiences. It is necessary to conduct further studies to develop interventions to support people with serious mental illness once they start living independently and instruments to measure their independence.
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Purpose@#To evaluate the role of postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) in patients with node-negative breast cancer of 5cm or larger tumors undergoing mastectomy @*Materials and Methods@#Medical records of 274 patients from 18 institutions treated with mastectomy between January 2000 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Among these, 202 patients underwent PMRT, while 72 did not. Two hundred and forty-one patients (88.0%) received systemic chemotherapy, and 172 (62.8%) received hormonal therapy. Patients receiving PMRT were younger, more likely to have progesterone receptor-positive tumors, and received adjuvant chemotherapy more frequently compared with those without PMRT (p <0.001, 0.018, and <0.001, respectively). Other characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. @*Results@#With a median follow-up of 95 months (range, 1-249), there were 9 locoregional recurrences, and 20 distant metastases. The 8-year locoregional recurrence-free survival rates were 98.0% with PMRT and 91.3% without PMRT (p=0.133), and the 8-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 91.8% with PMRT and 73.9% without PMRT (p=0.008). On multivariate analysis incorporating age, histologic grade, lymphovascular invasion, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and PMRT, the absence of lymphovascular invasion and the receipt of PMRT were associated with improved DFS (p=0.025 and 0.009, respectively). @*Conclusion@#Locoregional recurrence rate was very low in node-negative breast cancer of 5cm or larger tumors treated with mastectomy regardless of the receipt of PMRT. However, PMRT was significantly associated with improved DFS. Further investigation is needed to confirm these findings.
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Purpose@#This study was conducted to explore the relationships among new nurses’ meaning of work, organizational commitment, professional self-image, and retention intention through path analysis. @*Methods@#The participants were 872 nurses with less than a year of clinical experience working at general or tertiary hospitals over 500 beds in Korea. The data were collected using structured questionnaires from May 15, 2021 to June 28, 2021, and analysis was conducted using SPSS/WIN 22.0 and AMOS 21.0 programs. @*Results@#Retention intention was explained by meaning of work, organizational commitment, and professional self-image, its explanatory power was 46.5%. The mediating effect of professional self-image was found on the relationship between meaning of work and retention intention. @*Conclusion@#To encourage the retention intention among new nurses, an environment where new nurses can set a high value on the meaning of work and sense of accomplishment should be created, and a strategy to improve organizational commitment and professional self-image should be established.
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Purpose@#This descriptive study aimed to explore the performance, nurses' perception, and influencing contexts of intentional rounding (IR), and to identify the factors influencing the performance of IR. @*Methods@#498 questionnaire responses were collected from clinical nurses with more than six months of work experiences in general wards performing IR in a general hospital. @*Results@#The mean scores of the performance, nurses' perception, and influencing contexts of IR were 3.81(±0.68), 3.46(±0.42), and 3.79(±0.51) out of 5.00, respectively. There were significant differences in performance (F=20.51, p<.001) and nurses' perception (F=4.96, p=.001) based on the work department. There were significant differences in the influencing contexts based on age (F=6.02, p=.003) and the length of clinical experience in the ward (F=3.36, p=.010). Performance and nurses’ perception(r=.42, p<.001), performance and influencing contexts (r=.46, p<.001), and nurses' perception and influencing contexts (r=.58, p<.001) showed a statistically positive correlation. Work unit (F=10.45, p<.001), nurses' perception of the benefits to patients (F=-2.46, p=.014) and to nurses (F=4.34, p<.001), and influencing contexts at the individual (F=7.77, p<.001) and department levels (F=2.99, p=.003) were found to be significant factors on the performance of IR. @*Conclusion@#It is necessary to support the education programs and active participation of nurses in their role as leaders to raise their awareness regarding the benefits of IR. Furthermore, there is a need to adapt the IR protocol according to the unique characteristics of each unit and evaluate the effectiveness.
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a frequently diagnosed gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in the stool form or frequency without any structural changes and overt inflammation. It is not a life-threatening condition but causes a considerable level of discomfort and distress. Among the many pathophysiologic factors, such as altered GI motility, visceral hypersensitivity, and lowgrade mucosal inflammation, as well as other immunologic, psychologic, and genetic factors, gut microbiota imbalance (dysbiosis), which is frequently found in IBS, has been highlighted as an etiology of IBS. Dysbiosis may affect gut mucosal homeostasis, immune function, metabolic regulation, and even visceral motor function. As diet is shown to play a fundamental role in the gut microbiota profile, this review discusses the influence of diet on IBS occurring through the modulation of gut microbiota. Based on previous studies, it appears that dietary modulation of the gut microbiota may be effective for the alleviation of IBS symptoms and, also an effective IBS management strategy based on the underlying mechanism; especially because, IBS currently has no specific treatment owing to its uncertain etiology.
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Purpose@#This descriptive study aimed to explore the performance, nurses' perception, and influencing contexts of intentional rounding (IR), and to identify the factors influencing the performance of IR. @*Methods@#498 questionnaire responses were collected from clinical nurses with more than six months of work experiences in general wards performing IR in a general hospital. @*Results@#The mean scores of the performance, nurses' perception, and influencing contexts of IR were 3.81(±0.68), 3.46(±0.42), and 3.79(±0.51) out of 5.00, respectively. There were significant differences in performance (F=20.51, p<.001) and nurses' perception (F=4.96, p=.001) based on the work department. There were significant differences in the influencing contexts based on age (F=6.02, p=.003) and the length of clinical experience in the ward (F=3.36, p=.010). Performance and nurses’ perception(r=.42, p<.001), performance and influencing contexts (r=.46, p<.001), and nurses' perception and influencing contexts (r=.58, p<.001) showed a statistically positive correlation. Work unit (F=10.45, p<.001), nurses' perception of the benefits to patients (F=-2.46, p=.014) and to nurses (F=4.34, p<.001), and influencing contexts at the individual (F=7.77, p<.001) and department levels (F=2.99, p=.003) were found to be significant factors on the performance of IR. @*Conclusion@#It is necessary to support the education programs and active participation of nurses in their role as leaders to raise their awareness regarding the benefits of IR. Furthermore, there is a need to adapt the IR protocol according to the unique characteristics of each unit and evaluate the effectiveness.
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Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease that requires constant adaptation and management. Both individuals with type 1 diabetes and their parents can experience negative psychosocial effects, which can be harmful for disease management. This indicates the importance of addressing such effects. Individuals with type 1 diabetes can experience distress, irritation, depression, anxiety, fear, worries, hassle, guilt, shame, and stigma in association with their disease. Simultaneously, their parents might experience distress, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, burden, overwhelming responsibilities, chronic sorrow, and feelings of loss. In such cases, multidisciplinary support is required to reduce negative psychosocial effects and reinforce positive psychosocial behaviors. It is important to recognize these various emotions in patients and their parents, and health care providers should offer appropriate psychosocial support to both individuals with type 1 diabetes and their parents.
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In November 2021, 14 international travel-related severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.1.529 (omicron) variant of concern (VOC) patients were detected in South Korea. Epidemiologic investigation revealed community transmission of the omicron VOC. A total of 80 SARS-CoV-2 omicron VOC-positive patients were identified until December 10, 2021 and 66 of them reported no relation to the international travel.There may be more transmissions with this VOC in Korea than reported.
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a frequently diagnosed gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in the stool form or frequency without any structural changes and overt inflammation. It is not a life-threatening condition but causes a considerable level of discomfort and distress. Among the many pathophysiologic factors, such as altered GI motility, visceral hypersensitivity, and lowgrade mucosal inflammation, as well as other immunologic, psychologic, and genetic factors, gut microbiota imbalance (dysbiosis), which is frequently found in IBS, has been highlighted as an etiology of IBS. Dysbiosis may affect gut mucosal homeostasis, immune function, metabolic regulation, and even visceral motor function. As diet is shown to play a fundamental role in the gut microbiota profile, this review discusses the influence of diet on IBS occurring through the modulation of gut microbiota. Based on previous studies, it appears that dietary modulation of the gut microbiota may be effective for the alleviation of IBS symptoms and, also an effective IBS management strategy based on the underlying mechanism; especially because, IBS currently has no specific treatment owing to its uncertain etiology.
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Purpose@#In patients with locally advanced breast cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is widely used. It has a distinct advantage in the downstaging of the primary tumor and provides important information about treatment response. With its increasing usage, concerns over the appropriate management of the axilla have emerged. In this study, we compared oncological outcomes of conventional axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) over axillary sampling (AS) with radiotherapy (RT) in patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. @*Methods@#In this retrospective study, we included female patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and HER2 type breast cancer who underwent breast and axillary surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy between May 2011 to December 2016. A total of 89 patients’ medical records were eligible for analysis. We defined AS as removal of at least four axillary lymph nodes located near the sentinel lymph nodes without full exposure of the axillary vein, long thoracic nerve, and thoracodorsal nerve. @*Results@#The median follow-up period was 47.00 months. The disease-free survival was 69.66 months in the AS with RT group and 69.02 months in the ALND group (p=0.280). The invasive disease-free survival was 75.16 months in the AS with RT group and 78.44 months in the ALND group (p=0.218). @*Conclusion@#AS with radiotherapy might be a feasible surgical option in patients with TNBC and HER2 type breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
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Purpose@#In patients with locally advanced breast cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is widely used. It has a distinct advantage in the downstaging of the primary tumor and provides important information about treatment response. With its increasing usage, concerns over the appropriate management of the axilla have emerged. In this study, we compared oncological outcomes of conventional axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) over axillary sampling (AS) with radiotherapy (RT) in patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. @*Methods@#In this retrospective study, we included female patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and HER2 type breast cancer who underwent breast and axillary surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy between May 2011 to December 2016. A total of 89 patients’ medical records were eligible for analysis. We defined AS as removal of at least four axillary lymph nodes located near the sentinel lymph nodes without full exposure of the axillary vein, long thoracic nerve, and thoracodorsal nerve. @*Results@#The median follow-up period was 47.00 months. The disease-free survival was 69.66 months in the AS with RT group and 69.02 months in the ALND group (p=0.280). The invasive disease-free survival was 75.16 months in the AS with RT group and 78.44 months in the ALND group (p=0.218). @*Conclusion@#AS with radiotherapy might be a feasible surgical option in patients with TNBC and HER2 type breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
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BACKGROUND: Menkes disease (MD) is a rare X-linked hereditary multisystemic disorder that is caused by dysfunction of copper metabolism. Patients with MD typically present with progressive neurodegeneration, some connective tissue abnormalities, and characteristic “kinky” hair. In addition, various types of urological complications are frequent in MD because of underlying connective tissue abnormalities. In this study, we studied the clinical features and outcomes of MD, focusing on urological complications. METHODS: A total of 14 unrelated Korean pediatric patients (13 boys and 1 girl) with MD were recruited, and their phenotypes and genotypes were analyzed by retrospective review of their medical records. RESULTS: All the patients had early-onset neurological deficit, including developmental delay, seizures, and hypotonia. The girl patient showed normal serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels as well as milder symptoms. Mutational analysis of the ATP7A gene revealed 11 different mutations in 12 patients. Bladder diverticula was the most frequent urological complication: 8 (57.1%) in the 14 patients or 8 (72.7%) in the 11 patients who underwent urological evaluation. Urological imaging studies were performed essentially for the evaluation of accompanying urinary tract infections. Four patients had stage II chronic kidney disease at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Urologic problems occurred frequently in MD, with bladder diverticula being the most common. Therefore, urological imaging studies and appropriate management of urological complications, which may prevent or reduce the development of urinary tract infections and renal parenchymal damage, are required in all patients with MD.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Ceruloplasmin , Connective Tissue , Copper , Diverticulum , Follow-Up Studies , Genotype , Hair , Medical Records , Menkes Kinky Hair Syndrome , Metabolism , Muscle Hypotonia , Phenotype , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Retrospective Studies , Seizures , Urinary Bladder , Urinary Tract InfectionsABSTRACT
PURPOSE@#The purpose of this study was to determine the most appropriate shelf life for sterilized products according to their packaging material.@*METHODS@#Samples were prepared to target six nursing units in one general hospital in Seoul. After steam and E.O gas sterilization, sterilized product, samples were supplied to wards. Data collection was conducted for 3 months, after the expiration date of 3 months had passed for samples packaged with crepe paper and nonwoven wraps. For samples packaged with paper-plastic pouches, data collection conducted for 3 months when the expiration date of 9 months had passed. The sterilized products were collected and tested for microbial contamination. Identification of the storage environment was done as samples were collected.@*RESULTS@#This study confirmed that the storage environment met international standards such as CDC, except for temperature. For steam sterilized crepe paper packaging samples and steam and E.O gas sterilized for nonwoven packaging samples no contamination in all products was found for 3 months past the expiration date. However, in the E.O gas sterilized paper-plastic pouch packaging sterile samples, Gram-positive bacilli were detected in one sample from a surgical intensive care unit at 45 weeks and another sample from an operating room at 47 weeks. Furthermore, the results did not show any microorganisms for up to 52 weeks in all products.@*CONCLUSION@#According to the results of this study, sterilized product packaging made with crepe paper and nonwoven wraps is better able an extended shelf life from 3 months to 6 months, reducing unnecessary costs.
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The authors regret that there was an important error in the results in Table 1; the ATP7A mutations detected in Patients 2 and 14 were incorrectly noted.
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The best way to debunk a scientific dogma is to throw irrefutable evidence at it. This is especially true if the dogma in question has been nurtured over many decades, as is the case with the apparent redundancy of antibodies (Abs) against intracellular pathogens. Although not fully compelling yet, that ‘hard core’ evidence is nevertheless now slowly beginning to emerge. This is true for several clinically relevant infections but none more so than Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the archetype intracellular pathogen that poses a great health challenge to the mankind. Here, prompted by a spate of recent high-profile reports on the effects of Abs in various experimental models of tuberculosis, we step back and take a critical look at the progress that has been made in the last 5 years and highlight some of the strengths and shortcomings of the presented evidence. We conclude that the tide of the opinion has begun to turn in favour of Abs but we also caution against overinterpreting the currently available limited evidence. For, until definitive evidence that can withstand even the most rigorous of experimental tests is produced, the dogma may yet survive. Or indeed, we may find that the truth is hidden somewhere in between the dogma and the unfulfilled scientific prophecy.
Subject(s)
Antibodies , Immunotherapy , Models, Theoretical , Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Tuberculosis , VaccinesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To determine the necessity of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) and which regions would be at risk for recurrence, we evaluated local and regional recurrence in breast cancer patients with 1–3 positive nodes and a tumor size of <5 cm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 133 female breast cancer patients with 1–3 positive nodes, and a tumor size of <5 cm who were treated with mastectomy followed by adjuvant systemic therapy between 2007 and 2016. The median follow-up period was 57 months (range, 12 to 115 months). Most patients (82.7%) were treated with axillary lymph node dissection. Adjuvant chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and trastuzumab therapy were administered to 124 patients (93.2%), 112 (84.2%), and 33 (24.8%), respectively. The most common chemotherapy regimen was anthracycline and cyclophosphamide followed by taxane (71.4%). RESULTS: Three patients (2.3%), 8 (6.0%), and 12 (9.0%) experienced local, regional, and distant failures, respectively. The 5-year cumulative risk of local recurrence, regional recurrence, distant metastasis, and disease-free survival was 3.1%, 8.0%, 11.7%, and 83.4%, respectively. There were no statistically significant clinicopathologic factors associated with local recurrence. Lymphovascular invasion (univariate p = 0.015 and multivariate p = 0.054) was associated with an increased risk of regional recurrence. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a very low local recurrence in patients with 1–3 positive nodes and tumor size of <5 cm who were treated with mastectomy and modern adjuvant systemic treatment. The PMRT volume need to be tailored for each patient’s given risk for local and regional recurrence, and possible radiation-related toxicities.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Breast Neoplasms , Breast , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant , Cyclophosphamide , Disease-Free Survival , Drug Therapy , Follow-Up Studies , Lymph Node Excision , Mastectomy , Neoplasm Metastasis , Radiotherapy , Recurrence , Retrospective Studies , TrastuzumabABSTRACT
PURPOSE: A hybrid-dynamic conformal arc therapy (HDCAT) technique consisting of a single half-rotated dynamic conformal arc beam and static field-in-field beams in two directions was designed and evaluated in terms of dosimetric benefits for radiotherapy of lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This planning study was performed in 20 lung cancer cases treated with the VERO system (BrainLAB AG, Feldkirchen, Germany). Dosimetric parameters of HDCAT plans were compared with those of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) plans in terms of target volume coverage, dose conformity, and sparing of organs at risk. RESULTS: HDCAT showed better dose conformity compared with 3D-CRT (conformity index: 0.74 ± 0.06 vs. 0.62 ± 0.06, p < 0.001). HDCAT significantly reduced the lung volume receiving more than 20 Gy (V20: 21.4% ± 8.2% vs. 24.5% ± 8.8%, p < 0.001; V30: 14.2% ± 6.1% vs. 15.1% ± 6.4%, p = 0.02; V40: 8.8% ± 3.9% vs. 10.3% ± 4.5%, p < 0.001; and V50: 5.7% ± 2.7% vs. 7.1% ± 3.2%, p < 0.001), V40 and V50 of the heart (V40: 5.2 ± 3.9 Gy vs. 7.6 ± 5.5 Gy, p < 0.001; V50: 1.8 ± 1.6 Gy vs. 3.1 ± 2.8 Gy, p = 0.001), and the maximum spinal cord dose (34.8 ± 9.4 Gy vs. 42.5 ± 7.8 Gy, p < 0.001) compared with 3D-CRT. CONCLUSIONS: HDCAT could achieve highly conformal target coverage and reduce the doses to critical organs such as the lung, heart, and spinal cord compared to 3D-CRT for the treatment of lung cancer patients.
Subject(s)
Humans , Heart , Lung Neoplasms , Lung , Organs at Risk , Radiotherapy , Radiotherapy, Conformal , Spinal CordABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of SBAR communication program on nurse's perception about communication and attitudes toward patient safety. METHODS: A single-group pre-post experimental study was conducted. A SBAR education program was provided to 167 nurses working in 9 general wards of a hospital in Seoul. A total of 153 questionnaires were included for the final analysis. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance, paired sample t-test, and Cochran-Mantel-Haenzel test. RESULTS: After applying SBAR communication education, nurses perceived significant improvement in three of the five categories of communication between nurses and doctors; satisfaction (p=.001), accuracy (p=.001), and understanding (p=.002). The indicators of communication between nurses were also improved significantly in the order of accuracy (p=.001), satisfaction (p=.001), shift communication (p=.001), and openness (p=.016). The scores of nurse's attitudes toward patient safety demonstrated a significant increase in the five categories out of the six; perception of management (p=.001), working condition (p=.001), safety climate (p=.001), teamwork climate (p=.001), job satisfaction (p=.012). CONCLUSION: It is recommended that nurses and doctors use SBAR communication in their practice. Developing education programs and utilization methods is required for the effective establishment of SBAR communication.