Korean J Occup Health Nurs.  2017 Nov;26(4):207-217. 10.5807/kjohn.2017.26.4.207.

Workplace Response System Against Infectious Disasters based on the MERS Outbreak in Korea

• Jeong IS
• Yu J
• Ha MJ

• KMID: 2400944
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5807/kjohn.2017.26.4.207

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aimed to evaluate the workplace response system (WRS) against infectious disasters (IDs) based on the response attitudes and capacity of occupational health nurses (OHNs) who worked during the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in South Korea.
METHODS
Fifty-one participants who had worked as OHNs at the time of the 2015 MERS outbreak were surveyed from November 20 to December 10, 2016. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and McNemaer's test.
RESULTS
According to the survey results, the following were lacking in the WRS: a dedicated ID-response team, manuals, related education programs for OHNs, and health education programs for workers. Results also confirmed that workers were vulnerable to new infectious diseases because of the lack of health checkups and support for workers before and after business trips abroad. Among the respondents, 98.0% answered affirmatively that an ID was important for health management in the workplace, but 64.7% answered that it was difficult to manage an ID. The perceived capacity items to respond to IDs ranged from 3.0 points to 3.3 points. This scores weregenerally high.
CONCLUSION
As the WRS is currently insufficient, it is necessary to develop an adequate WRS to IDs by addressing the identified problems.

Keyword

Disasters; Infection control; Middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus; Occupational health nursing

MeSH Terms

Commerce
Communicable Diseases
Coronavirus Infections
Disasters*
Education
Health Education
Infection Control
Korea*
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Occupational Health
Occupational Health Nursing
Surveys and Questionnaires