The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services (한국응급구조학회지)

The Korea Society of Emergency Medical Services (한국응급구조학회)
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Comparing the "pre-COVID-19 period" and the "COVID-19 early-stage period" for emergency medical services

COVID-19 발현 초기 119 구급대를 경유해 응급실로 내원하는 환자들의 이송 시간과 호소하는 증상의 변화 : 부산지역 일개 응급의료센터로 이송된 환자의 구급활동일지를 중심으로

  • Kang, Ji-Hun (Department of Emergency Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital) ;
  • Ji, Jae-Gu (Department of Emergency Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital) ;
  • Jang, Yun-Deok (Department of Emergency Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Si-Won (Department of Emergency Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Seong-Ju (Department of Emergency Medical Service, Dongju University)
  • Received : 2020.09.29
  • Accepted : 2020.12.18
  • Published : 2020.12.31
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Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to identify changes in patients' transport time and chief complaints visiting the emergency room via emergency medical services from the "pre-COVID-19 period" compared to the "COVID-19 early-stage period". Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed the emergency medical services reports at two time periods defined by the COVID-19 virus outbreak in Korea. The study was conducted in Busan, the Republic of Korea, from January 19 through May 6, 2019. Results: The transfer time of patients transported during the "COVID-19 early-stage period" was significantly delayed compared to the "pre-COVID-19 period" (p<.05). We found a significant increase in transport time for patients complaining of respiratory infections compared to patients without symptoms (p<.05). During the "COVID-19 early-stage period", there was a significant increase in the number of patients with respiratory infections and patients complaining of general symptoms compared to the "COVID-19early-stage period" (p<.05). Conclusion: The spread of the COVID-19 virus infection delayed patient transport and increased the number of patients reporting respiratory infection symptoms. Emergency medical services will need administrative and economic support to transport the increased number of patients requiring services.

Keywords

References

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