| Sun Hee Lee | 3 Articles |
PURPOSE
This study aimed to investigate the actual noise conditions in adult Intensive Care Units (ICUs) according to type, time, day of the week, and area. METHODS This study was conducted from February to March 2018. ICU noise levels were examined using a noise meter with a microphone an amplifier, auditory correction circuit, and indicator meter capable of directly reading A-weighted decibels (dBA). Noise was measured for 24 hours for seven days and the average dBA, maximum dBA, and minimum dBA were recorded. RESULTS The highest mean noise level was 58.48 dBA (range of 57.62~65.27), while lowest was 51.65 dBA (range of 51.36~52.86). Average noise levels on weekdays and weekends were over 50 dBA(the open zone was measured at 56.61 dBA, while the isolation zone was measured at 52.45 dBA. Further, daytime, evening work-times and weekdays were measured above 60 dBA, while nighttime noise levels were below 60 dBA. Finally, average noise levels during turnarounds, shift changes, and rounding times were above 60 dBA; open zone had higher average noise levels than the isolation zone. CONCLUSION This study showed that ICU noise levels exceeded those recommended by the World Health Organization regardless of type of noise, day of the week, or time. Therefore, studies are proposed to identify the need or importance of noise management by ICU personnel to reduce noise in ICUs. It also proposes studies to develop and apply noise reduction strategies that can be easily used in practice, reflecting the various characteristics of noise in ICUs. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
PURPOSE
This study was conducted to explore the factors related to family support for hemodialysis patients. METHODS Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) flow diagram was used to select 18 studies in Korea for systematic review and meta-analysis. The Effect Sizes of correlation coefficients (ESr) were determined through Fisher's Z transformation. RESULTS The systematic review revealed 31 factors that affect family support(including socio-economic and disease-specific factors) and 23 factors that are influenced by family support (including socio-psychological factors and physiological indicators). In the meta-analysis, 18 factors (10 socio-economic and disease-specific factors and 8 psychological factors and physiological indicators) were used. The socio-economic factors that significantly affected family support were type of medical insurance, perceived economic state, marital status, primary care giver, living together, family monthly income, education level, and job state. Disease-specific factors such as frequency of dialysis per week did not have a significant impact on family support. Family support had a positive influence over patients' self efficacy (ESr=.56), quality of life (ESr=.48), self-esteem(ESr=.42), fatigue (ESr=−.32), sick role behavior (ESr=.32), and depression (ESr=−.24). CONCLUSION This study showed that economic status and family characteristics of hemodialysis patients in Korea affect the level of family support that patients receive, and family support promotes patients' positive psychology and sick role behavior. The results of this study provide useful information in developing family support intervention programs for hemodialysis patients. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
PURPOSE
This study attempted to analyze problems of informed consent in the clinical setting and appraise ethical aspects inherent in such issues in order to boost awareness of informed consent and its implementation among healthcare professionals. METHODS Study methods included identifying ethical meanings of informed consent in the clinical setting based on the principal ethics, and exploring the process of informed consent utilizing communicative ethics and feminine care ethics RESULTS: The ethical basis of informed consent encompasses not only respect for autonomy but also prohibiting malice, practicing beneficience, and establishing justice. These principles, however, are limited in illustrating the ethical aspects of communicative ethics and care ethics that are entailed in informed consent within clinical settings. The ethical meaning of informed consent involves a communicative and caring process between healthcare professionals, patients, and family built on mutual respect. CONCLUSION Healthcare professionals must fully understand the ethical meanings of informed consent and in turn respect and protect the clients' right to know and making decisions. Nurses especially, must take on the role of mediator and advocate throughout the process of obtaining informed consent, and practice ethical caring by facilitating communication grounded in mutual understanding among the physician, patient, and family members.
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