Purpose
The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for nosocomial Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) infections in patients with hematologic cancer in Korea. Methods A total of 232 patients (77 in the case group and 155 in the control group) from a tertiary teaching hospital participated in this study from January 2011 to December 2017. Data concerning the disease, treatment, and nursing care were collected from electronic medical records using the coding form. Results VRE infections were found to be associated with leukemic-type cancer, longer hospital stays, high-risk antibiotic use, low-risk antibiotic use, oral antifungal agent use within one month of admission, lower serum albumin levels, and dependent self-care. Conclusion The implication of this study’s results is that VRE infections are associated with factors other than VRE colonization, which is known to be the main influencing factor. Considering these factors, it is crucial to develop programs for VRE prevention and management. In particular, oncology nurses should adhere to precaution guidelines when they have contact with patients who are undergoing a prolonged hospital stay, are having difficulties with self-care activities, or are more likely to have depressed immunity because of intensive chemotherapy and nutritional deficiency. Tools to screen risk factors for VRE infections and programs to encourage nurses’ adherence to guidelines need to be evaluated and provided continuously.

Citations

• Effect of Virtual-Reality Simulation of Indwelling Catheterization on Nursing Students’ Skills, Confidence, and Satisfaction
  Soohyun Park, Hyeon Gyeong Yoon
  Clinical Simulation in Nursing.2023; 80: 46.     CrossRef

This study was designed to compare the nurse and nurses aids on their perception and performance levels for nosocomial infection control and to evaluate the relevant variables. The study data were obtained from 246 nurses and 219 nurse aids working at two university hospitals in Seoul, by using a constructed questionnaire. The data was collected from March to April of 1998, and analyzed using the SAS program for t-test, two way ANOVA, Pearson's Correlation Coefficients. The results were as follows; 1. The mean score of the perception level for nosocomial infection control of the nurse(M= 4.72) was higher than that of the nurses aids(M= 4.56). 2. No significant association was found between the nurse and nurses aids on their performance level for nosocomial infection control. 3. The score of perception level showed significant interaction by age in all domains, by career in contaminated material and environmental management, and by department in sterile and environmental management. Regarding the performance levels, the score showed significant association between hand washing and clothing management by age and career. However, there was no significant difference by department. 4. A positive correlation was found in the perception and performance levels for nosocomial infection control between the nurse and nurse aids. In conclusion: the mean score of the perception level for nosocomial infection control in nurses was higher than that of their performance level. In the case of nurses aids, the mean scores of the perception and performance level for the nosocomial infection control were the same but lower than those of the nurses. It is suggested that appropriate hospital infection control programs should be developed by continuous systemic education and practice to improve the nurse and nurses aids' level of perception and performance for nosocomial infection control.