• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.159-168
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• 2020

This study was designed to ask experienced nurses at local and regional emergency medical centers for their awareness of paramedics and for their opinions on a paramedic's proper duties in emergency medical centers. The questionnaire consisted of 61 questions in total, including general questions, questions about awareness of paramedics, and questions about the duties of paramedics in emergency medical centers. For data analysis, SPSS 21.0 was applied to conduct frequency and correlation analyses. Regarding the duties of paramedics in emergency medical centers, there were positive answers in 33 questions of the questionnaire. The need for paramedics who work for emergency medical centers and the importance of their duties in emergency medical centers were high in the questionnaire. In addition, there were positive answers to the questions about the need for the professionalism of paramedics and the nees for increasing the number of paramedics in emergency medical centers. There was no difference between the groups.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.223-234
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to check up the status of 119 emergency control centers usage. Therefore, the status of use of 119 emergency control centers and the incidence of pre-hospital cardiac arrest patients were investigated. Methods: The emergency activity daily reports and first aid diaries of 119 emergency control centers from January to December 2018 were reviewed. For more accurate status analysis, Among the first aid guidance received in the emergency rescue standard system, the cardiopulmonary resuscitation guide log was reviewed. Results: In 2018, the total usage of the 119 emergency control centers was 1,358,356 calls, hospital guidance werethe most commom (n=629,676, 46.4%), followed by first aid (n=428,027, 31.5%), disease consultation (n=170,238, 12.5%), medical oversight (n=111,188, 8.2%), and interhospital transfer (n=5,052, 0.4%). Regarding the user number per 1,000 persons, Jeju was the greatest at 48.0, whereas Changwon was the lowest at 13.0. A total number of dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation was 12.181. The time from report to chest compression were 156.2±80.8 seconds for those with previous cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and 168.0±79.3 seconds for those without such training (p<.05). Conclusion: The ratio of first aid instructions, including dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation, among total usage of the 119 emergency control centers increased. Therefore, additional efforts are required to improve the quality and expertise of information provided through the 119 emergency control centers.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2017

Purpose: Activated charcoal (AC) has been widely used as a universal antidote. Currently, emergency medical centers in Korea cannot administer AC due to discontinuation of the supply of commercial ready-mixed AC suspension. This study was conducted to investigate the proportion of emergency medical centers that administer AC to poisoning patients and provide basic information for emergency physicians and toxicologists. Methods: A prospective telephone survey of all of the included emergency medical institutions was conducted. The type of emergency medical institution, average annual number of patients admitted to the emergency department, annual average number of patients who were poisoned and whether the hospital currently utilizes gastric lavage and administration of AC were determined. Results: AC was administered to poisoning patients in 40% of regional emergency medical centers, 59.3% of local emergency medical centers, and 45.9% of local emergency medical rooms. Overall, 37% of total emergency medical institutions did not administer AC due to discontinuation of the commercial ready-mixed AC suspension. Additionally, 77% of emergency physicians in institutions without AC knew AC is necessary for poisoning patients. The rate of vomiting experienced by the medical staff according to types of charcoal showed that the average rate of vomiting was 33% for commercial ready-mixed activated charcoal suspension and 51% for self-prepared charcoal powder (p=0.02). Conclusion: AC should be secured promptly in emergency medical institutions. Before the supply of commercial ready-mixed AC suspension becomes again it is essential to develop a standardized regimen for self-preparation of charcoal powder and to educate emergency physicians and toxicologists to its use.

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.193-209
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to analyze the service area of emergency medical centers using GIS-based spatial analysis methods in Seoul, focusing on the behaviour of patients on the choosing of emergency centers. For this analysis, six emergency centers were selected to collect data for the information on the addresses of patients from September to November hi 2003. Analysis on the service area, which was carried out by measuring the distribution of patients in terms of distance from emergency medical centers, clearly reveals that the majority of patients was located within or adjacent districts at the emergency medical center. However, the size of the primary service area f3r six emergency medical centers was much different, implying that the decision to visit specific emergency medical center by patients was closely related to the size, perception, and preference of the emergency medical center. Based on the results of the spatial characteristics of emergency medical service area, this research tries to construct the surface map of the emergency medical service level supplied by 32 regional emergency medical centers located in Seoul. Considering the levels of infrastructure for emergency medical centers, the coverage for the degree of supply of emergency medical service by each emergency medical center was constructed in terms of a distance decaying in the distribution of patients from emergency medical center imposing different weights on distance bands. Spatial overlay utilizing map algebra function was performed in order to calculate total supply level of emergency service. The results clearly show that spatial inequality exists in the supply levels of the emergency medical service among local areas of Seoul.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.77-90
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to assess and improve the work scope of emergency medical technicians (EMT)-paramedics in emergency medical centers. Methods: Data were collected from February 1 to 14, 2018. The questionnaire comprised a total of 56 questions: eight general questions, six questions about the recognition of EMT-paramedics in emergency medical centers, and 42 questions about their work. Data were analyzed via frequency and correlation analysis using SPSS version 18.0. Results: Regarding the work of EMTs in emergency medical centers, positive opinions were found in 23 items, negative opinions in 4 items, and both positive and negative opinions in 9 items. Regarding the questions about the necessity, work importance, professionalism, and the need for an increase4 in EMR-paramedics, depending on respondents' career, there was no statistically significant difference between the group of beginners and the group comprising beginners and that of experienced workers (p>.200). Conclusion: The expert survey revealed that the work performance of EMT-paramedics in regional emergency medical centers was trusted and showed positive results of improvement and expansion.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.141-148
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• 2004

The purpose of this study which was done by questionnaire survey on doctors, paramedics, radio operators, computer technicians, administrators in Emergency Medical Care Information Centers was to analyze demand on EMD education. The significant 101 data were collected in 12 Emergency Medical Care Information Centers from Dec. 17, 2003 to Jan. 31, 2004 and analyzed by using SPSS. The conclusions from this study were summarized as follows. Composition of respondents who work in Emergency Medical Care Information Centers were 40.7% 26-30 years old in age, 56.4% male in sex, 55.6% medical direction in duty, 76.2% paramedics in certificate. 54.5% out of the paramedics had two years present career, 62.3% had one year past career, 31.0% didn't receive EMD education, 39.0% wanted 5-8 hours continuing education. The paramedics received more EMD education on Introduction to Emergency Medical Concepts, Obtaining Information from Callers, Providing Emergency Care Instructions and wanted more continuing education on Providing Emergency Care Instructions, Key Questions & Pre-Arrival Instructions, Obtaining Information from Callers. This study will be helpful to build up an education system for EMDs such as continuing education, curriculum, certification.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.29-39
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• 2013

Purpose: As emergency medical service fund is further expanded due to amendment of the law on emergency medical services in 2008, Korean government has prepared to intervene in a comprehensive manner to strengthen a trauma treatment system. As a result, it announced a master plan to establish a serious trauma treatment center in 16 areas across the nation. Therefore, this study has attempted to investigate the current status of the serious trauma treatment centers and suggest the goal and improvement plan of future serious trauma treatment centers. Methods: As of 2011, Korea operates 23 emergency cerebrovascular service centers, 23 emergency heart disease centers and 35 severe trauma treatment centers across the country. 12 emergency medical service centers have been chosen among the serious trauma treatment centers. Then, top six (6) centers chosen at Emergency Medical Institute Assessment 2011 by Ministry of Health and Welfare have been selected, and floor layout and spatial allocation by usage have been reviewed and analyzed. Results: Consequently, this study has investigated the spatial components, circulation layout and spatial allocation of a serious trauma treatment. For construction planning in consideration of the fundamental objectives and goal of emergency medical services, it is essential to allot spaces and select exact spatial components. It appears that it is necessary to design spaces for emergency medical services and come up with construction planning through appropriate spatial allocation.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.606-623
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• 2004

Emergency medical service pertains highly to the public service sector which has to be provided equally in a society and evenly in a spatial dimension by the government. However, emergency medical centers in Korea are inequally distributed in a space and also human capital, facility, and equipment for emergency medical centers show clear disparity among regions. This research analyzed the spatial balance of the demand supply level for emergency medical service in Seoul by constructing the potential demand surface map and supply surface map for this service. The surface map of demand-supply balance for emergency medical service was constructed by GIS based map algebra algorism. The results by this analysis very clearly reveal the spatial disparity of emergency medical service. The places where are over-represented by demand level compared to their supply level are estimated to require an additional establishment of emergency medical centers in the near future. While, the places where are over-represented by supply level compared to their potential demand for emergency medical services indicate the possibility of problems in the management of emergency medical centers because of a surplus in the supply of emergency medical services. The results of this research can be utilized in providing valuable information for the adequate provision of emergency medical centers and for the estimation of range on the service area of emergency medical services.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.5-15
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• 2008

Purpose : Centering on users(patients) who are offered the patient transport service by the emergency medical service system in our country, the use and satisfaction are analyzed with the transport service in 119 Emergency Medical Service System and Private transport agent. Results : 1. As for personnel in ambulance cars, 119 emergency staff showed a higher boarding rate of the first-class emergency medical technicians than private transportation centers : 48.4% and 17.7%, respectively. 2. Private transportation centers showed higher user satisfaction with transportation service than 119 emergency staff, which was not statistically significant. 3. As for the case that needs to receive the transport service in the future, the ratio with the will to use 119 Emergency Medical Service System(70.9%) was indicated to be much higher than the ratio of the private transport agent(29.1%). Suggestions : First, Centers transporting first-aid patients should essentially secure a sufficient number of first-class emergency medical technicians as professional emergency medical staff to reinforce qualitative improvement in emergency medical service. Second, It is necessary to establish a systematic monitoring system and develop educational programs in order to enhance satisfaction with the use of 119 emergency staff. Third, the government or the local government needs to positively support and guide the private transport agent, which is in charge of the public medical service.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.170-179
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• 2017

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the occupational radiation exposures of emergency medical technicians(EMTs) in emergency medical centers in Korea. The results will provide a basis for developing prevention programs to minimize adverse health effects relating to radiation exposure among emergency medical technicians working in this area. Methods: Radiation exposure doses were measured for twenty-two EMTs working in six emergency medical centers. Thermo Luminescent Dosimeters(TLD) were placed on three representative body parts, including chest, neck, and a finger. Measurements were conducted over the entire working hours of the participants for foor weeks. Dosimeters were analyzed according to a standard method by a KFDA-designated lab. Detection rate, annual radiation exposure dose, and relative levels to dose limit were derived based on the measured doses from the dosimeters. SPSS/Win 18.0 software(IBM, US) was used for statistical analysis. Results: Detection rates were 45.5%, 36.4%, and 45.5% for the dosimeters sampled from chest, neck, and a finger, respectively. The average annual doses were $2.39{\pm}3.44mSv/year$(range 0.38-10.0 mSv/year) for the chest, $2.72{\pm}3.05mSv/year$(2.00-11.34) for the neck, and $20.98{\pm}17.57mSv/year$(1.25-53.50) for the hand dose. The average annual eye dose was estimated to $3.61{\pm}2.37mSv/year$(1.50-8.34). The exposure dose levels of EMTs were comparable to those of radiologists, who showed relatively higher radiation dose among health care workers, as reported in another study. Conclusions: EMTs working in emergency medical centers are considered to be at risk of radiation exposure. Although the radiation exposure dose of EMTs does not exceed the dose limit, it is not negligible comparing to other professionals in health care sectors.