ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to prepare the basic data for the development of practical nursing intervention programs for nursing college students who have been confirmed with COVID-19 since its outbreak in Korea. The subjects of this study were 70 nursing students at the University of Nursing located in Seoul, Gangwon-do, and Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheongnam-do. The data were collected from April 1st through April 30th, 2022, and analyzed it using the content analysis method. The experience of the nursing students infected with COVID-19 was classified and analyzed to draw a total of 187 significant statements and 36 categories. When establishing an infectious disease prevention program for nursing students and developing a practical nursing intervention program, it is necessary to focus on the preventive activities that emphasize personal aspects such as infection control, health management, and self-management, and to strengthen social support systems and improve quality of life. © 2023 The Authors. Published by IASE.
ABSTRACT
Far UV-C, informally defined as electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 200 and 230 nm, has characteristics that are well-suited to control of airborne pathogens. Specifically, Far UV-C has been shown to be highly effective for inactivation of airborne pathogens;yet this same radiation has minimal potential to cause damage to human skin and eye tissues. Critically, unlike UV-B, Far UV-C radiation does not substantially penetrate the dead cell layer of skin (stratum corneum) and does not reach germinative cells in the basal layer. Similarly, Far UV-C radiation does not substantially penetrate through corneal epithelium of the eye, thereby preventing exposure of germinative cells within the eye. The most common source of Far UV-C radiation is the krypton chloride excimer (KrCl*) lamp, which has a primary emission centered at 222 nm. Ozone production from KrCl* lamps is modest, such that control of indoor ozone from these systems can be accomplished easily using conventional ventilation systems. This set of characteristics offers the potential for Far UV-C devices to be used in occupied spaces, thereby allowing for improved effectiveness for inactivation of airborne pathogens, including those that are responsible for COVID-19. © 2022 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
ABSTRACT
Background & Aim: This study aims to examine the perception of artificial intelligence interviews experienced by prospective nursing graduates who have experienced artificial intelligence interviews at medical institutions using focus groups and provide necessary data to increase the efficiency of artificial intelligence interviews. Methods & Materials: This study was conducted to examine nursing students' artificial intelligence interview experience during COVID-19 by performing a focus group interview and qualitative content analysis. The focus group interview was carried out on November 17, 2021, to understand nursing students' artificial intelligence interview experience during COV1D-19, selecting a total of 14 senior nursing students. Results: As a result of analyzing the artificial intelligence interview experiences of nursing students who participated in this study, 35 codes, grouped into eight subcategories, were derived. They are also classified into three categories 1) Finding your way in the dark, 2) Confronting artificial intelligence, and 3) Going beyond artificial intelligence. The eight subcategories derived are as follows: 1) Vagueness, 2) Find your way, 3) The fight between artificial intelligence and me, 4) Strong questions about interview evaluation, 5) New experience, 6) Learn your own tricks for artificial intelligence interviews, 7) Setting up the environment for artificial intelligence interview, 8) Establishment of information system for artificial intelligence interview. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, an educational program should be developed based on the main data obtained from the artificial intelligence interview experience so that nursing college students can adapt to the artificial intelligence interview.
ABSTRACT
Microplasma lamps based on the confinement of a weakly-ionized, low-temperature plasma in a microscale cavity have been found to be ideal for far UV-C radiation at 222 nm (KrCl ∗ excimer). During the last several years, researchers have demonstrated that far UV-C 222 nm efficiently kills airborne pathogens (coronaviruses) with minimal risk of harm to human skin or eyes. Therefore, the data support the premise that far UV-C 222 nm from a KrCl∗ excimer emission in the microplasma flat lamp can be used safely in occupied spaces. In particular, ACGIH recently increased the allowed human exposure levels at 222 nm more than seven times. 1 © 2022 IEEE.
ABSTRACT
Far UV-C, informally defined as electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 200 and 230 nm, has characteristics that are well-suited to control of airborne pathogens. Specifically, Far UV-C has been shown to be highly effective for inactivation of airborne pathogens;yet this same radiation has minimal potential to cause damage to human skin and eye tissues. Critically, unlike UV-B, Far UV-C radiation does not substantially penetrate the dead cell layer of skin (stratum corneum) and does not reach germinative cells in the basal layer. Similarly, Far UV-C radiation does not substantially penetrate through corneal epithelium of the eye, thereby preventing exposure of germinative cells within the eye. The most common source of Far UV-C radiation is the krypton chloride excimer (KrCl*) lamp, which has a primary emission centered at 222 nm. Ozone production from KrCl* lamps is modest, such that control of indoor ozone from these systems can be accomplished easily using conventional ventilation systems. This set of characteristics offers the potential for Far UV-C devices to be used in occupied spaces, thereby allowing for improved effectiveness for inactivation of airborne pathogens, including those that are responsible for COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) can occur in association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is not easy to differentiate MIS-C from severe COVID-19 or Kawasaki disease based on symptoms. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of MIS-C. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed/Medline for case series and reports of MIS-C published until June 20, 2020. From a total of nine articles involving 45 cases, various clinical and laboratory data were extracted. Each target case was evaluated by using different diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: The average age at onset of MIS-C was 8.6 years. In 80% of cases, the age of patients ranged from 5 to 15 years. Fever (100%) and shock (82%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Sixty percent of cases met the diagnostic criteria for typical or atypical Kawasaki disease. Biomarkers indicative of inflammation, coagulopathy, or cardiac injury were characteristically elevated as follows: ferritin (mean: 1,061 ng/mL), CRP (217 mg/L), ESR (69 mm/hr), IL-6 (214.8 pg/mL), TNFα (63.4 pg/mL), D-dimer (3,220 ng/mL), PT (15.5 s), troponin I (1,006 ng/L), and BNP (12,150 pg/mL). Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered in all target cases, and inotropic agents were commonly used as well. No case of death was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that MIS-C is a serious condition that presents with fever, rash, as well as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal symptoms. Although it is challenging to differentiate MIS-C from Kawasaki disease or severe COVID-19, initiation of appropriate treatments through early diagnosis is warranted.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome , Adolescent , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/diagnosis , Child , Child, Preschool , Fever/diagnosis , Humans , Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/diagnosis , Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/drug therapy , SARS-CoV-2 , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/diagnosisABSTRACT
Corona Virus Disease 19 pandemic (COVID-19) causes many deaths worldwide, and has enormous impacts on society and economy. The COVID-19 was caused by a new type of coronavirus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Cornonavirus 2;SARS-CoV-2), which has been found that these viruses can be effectively inactivated by ultraviolet (UV) radiation of 290315 nm. In this study, 90% inactivation time of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was analyzed using ground observation data from Brewer spectrophotometer at Yonsei University, Seoul and simulation data from UVSPEC for the period of 2015-2017 and 2020. Based on 12:00-13:00 noon time, the shortest virus inactivation time were estimated as 13.5 minutes in June and 4.8 minutes in July/August, respectively, under all sky and clear sky conditions. In the diurnal and seasonal variations, SARS-CoV-2 could be inactivated by 90% when exposed to UV radiation within 60 minutes from 10:00 to 14:00, for the period of spring to autumn. However, in winter season, the natural prevention effect was meaningless because the intensity of UV radiation weakened, and the time required for virus inactivation increased. The spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 is related to various and complex interactions of several variables, but the natural inactivation of viruses by UV radiation presented in this study, especially seasonal differences, need to be considered as major variables.
ABSTRACT
Recently, a noble far UV-C wavelength (typically at the range of 200-230 nm) has attracted significant interest because of its higher efficacy in inactivating airborne pathogens (including COVID-19 coronaviruses) compared to conventional UVC germicidal radiation sources. Furthermore, the far UV-C wavelength has been known (reported) not to induce essentially any damage to skin or eyes even during the exposure against the treatment by the conventional germicidal lamp. © 2021 IEEE.
ABSTRACT
This article explores how policy actors in South Korea understand and make meaning of school-related policies responding to COVID-19. Using sensemaking and crisis theory as a framework and informed by literature on policy culture, we analyzed qualitative data collected from interviews with teachers, educational leaders, and parents. The findings show that our participants initially thought the crisis situation would “just pass,” but they experienced “fear” and “chaos” when online and hybrid classes were implemented. After adopting unexpected policy changes to cope with the spread of COVID-19, participants sought shared responsibility to overcome the crisis. In addition, our participants made meaning of the crisis as an opportunity to transform schools, suggesting that COVID-19 catalyzed democracy, innovation, and equity in Korean school education. We conclude this article with a discussion on the role of crisis in sensemaking and the importance of national policy culture and sociohistorical contexts in shaping policy actors’ meaning making, extending comparative perspectives in education. © 2021 Comparative and International Education Society. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: In the UK, midwives play a major role in managing labour epidural analgesia. They are required to achieve competencies and undergo refresher courses. 1This training course was designed to provide teaching to fulfil the requirements of continuous professional development and improve midwife confidence in epidural management. Methods: A training course, delivered by anaesthetists, consisting of short PowerPoint presentations and panel-based discussion was devised with reference to the Royal College of Midwives curriculum.2 Because of restrictions imposed by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the programme was delivered on a virtual platform to midwives who were invited from all London NHS Trusts. A pre-course questionnaire was distributed focusing particularly on levels of confidence in the following aspects of epidural management: consent, administration of drugs and epidural maintenance, assessment of sensory and motor block and troubleshooting a suboptimal block. Two half-day sessions were delivered and delegates completed a post-course questionnaire to evaluate the effectiveness of this teaching programme. Results: A total of 304 midwives signed up from over 30 London NHS trusts, with 175 delegates able to attend. Delegates comprised of students (14%), band 5 (14%), band 6 (52%) and band 7–8 (20%) midwives. The breadth of experience with epidural anaesthesia ranged from less than 1 year to more than 10 years, with only half of the delegates previously receiving formal training. Improvements in confidence in all four aspects of epidural management are demonstrated in the figure. 97% thought this course was beneficial and 90% agreed that it was well delivered through a virtual platform. [Formula presented] Figure. Percentage of midwives who agreed or strongly agreed they were comfortable with these aspects of epidural management, pre-course (n=264) and post-course (n=149). Discussion: The pre-course questionnaire demonstrated that midwives had a need for epidural training and the post-course questionnaire has shown that this need was very well met. In addition, the convenience of a virtual course allowed us to reach good numbers of midwives and easily bring together speakers and delegates from across London. We plan to continue running this course virtually into the future.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Masks , Humans , Pandemics , Prospective Studies , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Complete contact tracing of COVID-19 patients in Korea allows a unique opportunity to investigate cluster characteristics. This study aimed to investigate all the reported COVID-19 clusters in Seoul Metropolitan area from January 23 to September 24, 2020. METHODS: Publicly available COVID-19 data was collected from the Seoul Metropolitan city and Gyeonggi Province. Community clusters with >= 5 cases were characterized by size and duration and then categorized using K-means clustering, and the correlation between the types of clusters and the level of social distancing was investigated. RESULTS: A total of 134 clusters including 4,033 cases were identified. The clusters were categorized into small (Type I, II), medium (type III), and large (type IV) clusters. With the same number of daily confirmed cases, cases were composed of different types of clusters by different periods of time. Raising social distancing was related with shifting types of clusters from large to small sized clusters. CONCLUSIONS: Classification of clusters may provide opportunities to better portray the pattern of COVID-19 outbreaks and implement more effective strategies. Social distancing administered by the government may be effective in suppressing large clusters but may not be effective in controlling small and sporadic clusters.
ABSTRACT
Statement of purposeDue to cultural and psychosocial barriers, immigrant women prefer to exhaust informal resources, including religious leaders, before seeking professional help for intimate partner violence (IPV). Based on research and theory, we used Intervention Mapping to create a virtual simulation training (4 modules, 20 minutes each) for Korean American religious leaders on primary, secondary, and tertiary IPV prevention in their congregation. This presentation discusses the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented to study participation and the evaluation of this intervention.Methods/ApproachDuring 2020, we evaluated the intervention in a randomized trial (n=100) using online surveys (baseline, 3-month, 6-month). When the first stay-at-home order was issued in mid-March, 95% of participants had finished the baseline survey. However, 53% of the intervention group was still completing the intervention with others at various study stages. The 6-month survey included questions about the impact of COVID-19.ResultsThe online survey and intervention facilitated participation in the study—47%, and some participants had extra time because church services were closed—27%. However, COVID-19 had numerous adverse effects on program participation and emotional functioning: difficulty answering application questions due to lack of interaction with parishioners—33%, being too busy to participate fully—11%, overwhelmed—23%, uncertain about their church’s future—51%, financial strain—30%, unable to invite community organizations to educate the congregation on family violence—60%, reduced opportunities to apply new skills learned from the intervention—45%.ConclusionsThe virtual simulation and online data collection facilitated the trial’s completion, but the toll of the pandemic reduced opportunities to demonstrate new skills.SignificanceOnline interventions and evaluations are a safe way to deliver an intervention during a pandemic. The information gathered about the pandemic’s emotional and practical impact was fundamental to understanding the program‘s impact.