• Proceedings of the KTCVS Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.177-178
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• 2004

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.1 s.246
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• pp.1-12
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• 2005

The primary responsibility of a perfusionist is to operate the heart-lung bypass machine during open heart surgery, which is vital for the successful operative outcome. However, despite the perfusionist's crucial role on the cardiac surgical team, no relevant studies have not yet been conducted in our country. In this regard, this study was performed about the current status of perfusionists in Korea with comparative analysis on the certification and education system of perfusionists in foreign countries. Material and Method: We analyzed the demographic data on the Korean perfusionists conducted in 1994 and 2003, with comparison of recent data on the perfusionists of the nineteen foreign countries. Result and Conclusion: Although all agree that professionalism and responsibility of the perfusionist are essential in conducting a cardiac procedure and bringing about successful outcome, the formally approved training and certification system for perfusionists have not yet been established in Korea. Adequate measures should be done as soon as possible in order to try to obtain the adequate recognition of the profession.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.293-297
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• 2022

In 2022, Korea reported a total of 224 perfusionists, employing nurses or clinical laboratory technologists (also known as medical technologists) to provide hospital self-education or reliable education. In 2021, the total number of perfusionists in Japan was 2,100, mainly supported by clinical engineering technologists. During the same period, the number of perfusionists reported in the United States was 4,212, who had received training in the master's program, post-bachelor certificate program, and bachelor's program. Most personnel in the USA were graduates of healthcare sciences or life sciences. Perfusionists must be knowledgeable in heart anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, hemodynamics, laboratory analysis, and quality assurance, as well as techniques to operate the cardiopulmonary bypass machine (heart-lung bypass machine). These are jobs similarly handled by clinical laboratory technologists. The importance of perfusionists became more prominent during two major crises: the MERS-CoV and COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, perfusionists play a significant role in the rapidly expanding field of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and extracorporeal circulation during cardiac surgery. Results of the current study indicate that hospitals offering cardiac surgery and infectious disease hospitalization need to be institutionalized to secure a certain number of qualified perfusionists. In the future, we look forward to establishing a perfusion technology association under the Korean Society for Clinical Laboratory Physiology to provide academic exchanges.