The Effect of Korean Occupational Health Nurses' Work Conditions on their Performance / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: This is a descriptive study that provides basic material to improve occupational health nurses' work conditions and industrial performance status. METHODS: The 955 nurses who participated in the training program to understand the purpose of this study from January 2009 to December 2010 conducted by the Korean Association of Occupational Health Nurses agreed to be subjects for the study. The questionnaire included the general characteristics, work conditions and performance of occupational health management. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Occupational health management performance of the subjects averaged 3.11 points and detailed area by health management 3.64 points, environment management 2.91 points and occupational management 2.77 points. Health management performance of those factors affecting the duration of occupational health nurse (beta=.199), type of industry (beta=.126), average annual income (beta=-.277) to 11.4% (F=3.175, p<.001) were found to be a significant determinant. CONCLUSION: Occupational health nurses are the core workforce of occupational health through the prevention of occupational disease and industrial accidents. Findings of this study can be an important resource to increase appropriate occupational health nurses' work conditions and performance of occupational health management.

A Case of Cystic Myxoma in the Left Atriym

Cardiac myxomas are the most common type of primary cardiac tumor. Approximately 86% of myxoma occur in the left atrium, and over 90% are solitary. Most myxoma are gelatinous and solid, although central hemorrhage or infarction may occur in some case. Rarely is the myxoma calcified. We experienced the case of a 52-year-old man transthoracic echocardiography revealed central echolucency within large mass. At operation, a globular, smooth surfaced mass was found attached to the interatrial septum of left atrium. The cut-surface shows central cystic degeneration within extensive patch hemorrhage and multiple small cysts.