The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services (한국응급구조학회지)

The Korea Society of Emergency Medical Services (한국응급구조학회)
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Classification of emergency room usage patterns according to the type of insurance in patients visiting an emergency medical center in Seoul, Korea

서울지역 일개 지역응급의료센터에 내원한 환자의 보험급종별 응급실 이용행태 분류

  • Kim, Moo-Hyun (Korea University Graduate School, Department of Public Health) ;
  • An, Hyoung-Gin (Korea University Graduate School, Department of Public Health)
  • 김무현 (고려대학교 대학원 보건학협동과정) ;
  • 안형진 (고려대학교 대학원 보건학협동과정)
  • Received : 2020.03.29
  • Accepted : 2020.04.19
  • Published : 2020.04.30
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Abstract

Purpose: We analyzed the characteristics and differences in patients' medical benefits and health insurance based on disease severity classification. Methods: We examined 29,139 patients who visited the emergency medical center of K Hospital from January 1,2016 to December 31, 2016. Survey items included the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) classification of emergency and non-emergency situations ratio and type of insurance. Results: According to KTAS classification, 76.2% of patients exhibited an emergency condition and 23.8% exhibited a non-emergency condition. Emergency patients exhibited more trauma than non-emergency patients. According to the type of insurance coverage, the duration of stay in the emergency room was longer for patients with medical care than for patients with health insurance. Additionally, 119 ambulances use was significantly higher among patients with medical care. Conclusion: Policy discussions should address alternative ways to replace the 119 ambulances used by patients in this study. Additionally, health care administrators should identify alternative care agencies as potential alternatives to emergency room visits.

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References

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