• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2009

Purpose : To grasp the mental burden for legal responsibility that rescue members have in the performance of job. Method : Questionnaire was presented to rescue members serving in 2 direct control safety centers of fire station located in Seoul, Daejon, Incheon, Kwangju, Busan, Daegu and Ulsan. Results : 1. Questioned whether they have mental burden for legal responsibility while performing job on the site, the rescue members responded : very burdensome in 38.0%, burdensome in 56.0%, moderate in 4.5%, not burdensome in 1.0%, no burden at all in 0.5%. 2. Questioned on the first aid treat for which they have the most mental burden, the rescue members responded : intubation into trachea laryngeal mask airway(LMA) in 40.4%, automatic external defibrillator in 16.3%, securing vein providing sap(medicine) in 10.8%, basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation in 7.2%, eliminating foreign matters inserted into body in 5.4%, stanching external bleeding and treating injury in 5.4%, fixing extremities and spine by using splint in 1.8%, measuring the symptom of vitality in 1.2%, providing oxygen in 0.0%. 3. Questioned whether experiencing legal problem or firm petition(complaint) raised by patient while serving as rescue members, they responded : experiencing a complaint in 41.6%, experiencing no complaint in 58.4%. Asked to indicate the stress level in the scale of which they suffered when lawsuit or firm petition was raised, 0(weak)-10(strong), they answered 8.8 in average. 4. Questioned whether 119 rescue members put the legal responsibility in case that they cause damage to patients intentionally in performing, they responded to the inquiry 3.66 in average(of 5.00). It represented meaningful differences (F=2.874, p=.024) whether they had license or not. 5. In future, legal action will raise against the rescue member by 99% because of people's rights improvement(63.1%), high expectations for the rescue system(29.5%), non-licensed rescue members(5.1%). Conclusion : It was found that the rescue members had severe mental burden for advanced life support which was investigated to have low enforcement rate in the preceding research, for instance, intubation into trachea securing vein management by using automatic external defibrillator. To improve the qualitative level of rescue service in the fire fighting, it may be required to construct the environment that eliminates the mental burden of rescue members for legal responsibility.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.142-149
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to report the out-of-hospital resuscitation of cardiac arrest along with literature consideration. CPR is technology of resuscitating patient by maintaining oxygen supply to organ, by preventing progression from clinical death to biological death, and by recovering heart beat and circulation, through circulatory support of mechanical ventilation. It is not what every patient with cardiac standstill is revived even if being implemented CPR. Patient's survival rate is decided by how quickly and correctly CPR was executed. A patient, who wasn't witnessed the cardiac arrest on the field, was performed 5-cycle CPR for 2 minutes on the field before being transferred to hospital, and was allowed to be used AED. A person, who was observed, is recommended to be used AED immediately, and then is said to be needed ACLS (advanced cardiac life support). In the Out-of-Hospital stage, it is rare in a case that 119 Emergency Medical Service System transfers by being ROSC and in a case of executing ACLS. Cardiac arrest was witnessed on the field, but CPR wasn't executed. First-aid staff executed CPR after arriving, and led to ROSC on the field with ACLS, there by having experienced 1 case of a patient's surviving to leave hospital by being ROSC on the field.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.7-18
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• 2014

Purpose: We aimed to investigate trunk angle and muscle activation of the extremity and back to evaluate the effect of chest compression on work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Methods: Eighteen 119 EMTs performed 2-minute chest compression without interruption on a cardiopulmonary resuscitation manikin, during which we measured changes in the trunk and shoulder joint angles, muscle activation (triceps brachii, biceps brachii, erector spinae, gluteus maximus, pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, and rectus femoris) and chest compression accuracy. Results: The decrease in trunk angle by trunk muscle activation was the highest in event 2, the major direction of chest compression. Both shoulder joint angles had no significant difference. Muscle activation of the triceps brachii (p < .01), biceps brachii (p < .05), rectus abdominis (p < .05) and rectus femoris (p < .01) significantly increased during the compression phase compared with the decompression phase, with the rectus femoris showing an increase of 19%. Muscle activation of the erector spinae significantly increased in the decompression phase compared with the compression phase (p < .01). Conclusion: 119 EMTs mainly use the triceps brachii, biceps brachii and pectoralis major muscles during chest compression.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.5893-5900
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• 2012

It is very critical to promptly maintain airway of cardiac arrest cases or serious traumatic cases. The purpose of this study is to compare intubation rate, successful rate and pre-/post-education self-confidence between laryngeal tube (LTS) and proseal laryngeal mask (PLMA), so that it may contribute to improving the ability of 119 emergency team - a pivotal role in pre-hospitalization process - to carry out advanced airway management. In order to achieve the purpose, total 60 paramedics (Class I) who worked for incumbent 119 emergency team were asked to join a practical experiment and were also divided into two groups (LTS group: 30 people, PLMA group: 30 people). In details, they were all asked to take 3 sessions of practice (5 minutes per session) using dummy model to quantitatively measure the time and success/failure of intubation and the change of their self-confidence. As a result, it was found that there were statistically significant differences in the time of intubation between LTS and PLMA group (p=.000), but there was no significant difference in the rate of successful intubation between these two groups, and self-confidence of two groups tended to significantly increase after experiment (p=.000). Conclusively, if it is necessary to promptly apply intubation to traumatic cases with immobilized cervical vertebral and lingual edema, LTS can be useful as an effective means of intubation. And it is expected that continuing intubation training using LTS will improve the ability of emergency team to perform advanced airway management for traumatic cases.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.130-141
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• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to reconsider the necessity of stroke-related educational programs by investigating early symptoms of stroke that emergency medical technicians (EMTs) may experience. Methods: An interview survey was carried out, targeting all EMTs 298 people who were working at 119 fire safety centers and local units in Jeollabuk-do province, from April 1 to 30, 2011. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on ETMs' demographic characteristics, educational level on stroke, and awareness level about early symptoms of stroke and treatment-related characteristics of stroke patients. Results: The results showed that 63.2% of those surveyed had completed the required educational programs on stroke during the past year. The level of awareness about early symptoms of stroke and assessment of stroke patients' condition was relatively high for women, those who were 30 years under, low position people, emergency service practitioners, emergency medical technicians, and people who have completed education, respectively. It was also turned out that 82.8% of those surveyed took stroke patients to the nearest hospitals first so that they could receive appropriate treatment. The level of awareness about early symptoms of stroke and assessment of stroke patients' condition in people who have completed education were higher than non-complete. The level of awareness about early symptoms of stroke was positively correlated with confidence, satisfaction and appropriateness in treatment of stroke patients. Conclusions: These results strongly suggest that it is necessary to operate specialized educational programs to enhance EMTs' appropriate awareness of the early symptoms of stroke and assessment of stroke patient's condition.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.127-134
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• 2020

When a pregnant woman experiences cardiac arrest, resuscitation is of the utmost importance. Cardiac arrest in pregnant women differs from cardiac arrest in the general population since both mother and fetus need to be taken into consideration. In the event of cardiac arrest, determining whether to deliver the baby is significant. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is not always successful, and the survival rate depends on the speed and precision of the procedure. In this study, we focus on the case of a 30-year-old pregnant woman who experienced cardiac arrest and whose family was quick to perceive her condition and call the hospital. A witness performed initial cardiopulmonary resuscitation, while rescue workers performed the advanced procedure. In this case, the patient and baby received proper treatment and left the hospital after six days. It is extremely rare for a pregnant patient to achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or receive advanced cardiac life support before reaching the hospital. However, the woman in question in this study achieved ROSC and received both cardiopulmonary resuscitation before reaching the hospital and advanced cardiac life support at the hospital. The specifics of the case are reported in the context of a literature review.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.20 no.2 s.62
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• pp.31-43
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• 2006

In Korea, the Emergency Medical Service, EMS is provided by Fire Services with 119 EMS and all the public uses the service for free. Although it appears very successful and is respected nationally, structural problem EMS exist and are worsening. First of all, the "free riding effect" becomes increasingly problematic. Some argue that 30% of the demands is not urgent or emergent. The total number of demands is increasing even without the free riding effect. The Current EMS system itself cannot meet the increasing EMS demand. The medical aspect is so poor that the EMS cannot dispatch a medical specialist to the scene. The cardiac arrest resuscitation rate is only $1.24{\sim}9.9%$, compared to 40% in Boston, MA, USA. But due to the regulations and limitations of the Fire Service organization, it is difficult to secure enough EMS resources. To work out these problems, it needs a structural innovation. To secure enough resources and achieve higher medical performance we should invite the medical sector and the private sector into EMS arena by contracting partnerships with Fire Services and charging a reasonable EMS fee. We found through statistical test that any partnership system is more effective than fire-alone system and most countries around the world have partnership system rather than fire-alone system.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.31-44
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of emergency medical services(EMS) is to save human lives and assure the completeness of the body in emergency situations. Those who have been qualified on medical practice to perform such treatment as there is the risk of human life and possibility of major physical and mental injuries that could result from the urgency of time and invasiveness inflicted upon the body. In the emergency medical activities, 119 emergency medical technicians mainly perform the task but they are not able to perform such task independently and they are mandatory to receive medical direction. The purpose of this study is to examine the recognition and request for medical direction by 119 emergency medical technicians in order to provide basic information on the development of medical direction program suitable to the characteristics of EMS as well as for the studies on EMS for the sake of efficient operation of pre-hospital EMS. Method : Questionnaire via e-mail was conducted during July 1-31, 2010 for 675 participants who are emergency medical technicians, nurses and other emergency crews in Gyeongbuk. The effective 171 responses were used for the final analysis. In regards to the emergency medical technicians' scope of responsibilities defined in Attached Form 14, Enforcement regulations of EMS, t-test analysis was conducted by using the means and standard deviation of the level of request for medical direction on the scope of responsibilities of Level 1 & Level 2 emergency medical technicians as the scale of medical direction request. The general characteristics, experience result, the reason for necessity, emergency medical technicians & medical director request level, medical direction method, the place of work of the medical director, feedback content and improvement plan request level were analyzed through frequency and percentage. The level of experience in medical direction and necessity were analyzed through ${\chi}^2$ test. Results : In regards to the medical direction experience per qualification, the experience was the highest with 53.3% for Level 1 emergency medical technicians and 80.3% responded that experience was helpful. As for the recognition on the necessity of medical direction, 71.3% responded as "necessary" and it turned out to be the highest of 76.9% in nurses. As for the reason for responding "necessary", the reason for reducing the risk and side-effects from EMS for patients was the largest(75.4%), and the reason of EMS delay due to the request of medical direction was the highest(71.4%) for the reason for responding "not necessary". In regards to the request level of the task scope of emergency medical technicians, injection of certain amount of solution during a state of shock was the highest($3.10{\pm}.96$) for Level 1 emergency rescuers, and the endotracheal intubation was the highest($3.12{\pm}1.03$) for nurses, and the sublingual administration of nitroglycerine(NTG) during chest pain was the highest($2.62{\pm}1.02$) for Level 2 emergency medical technicians, and regulation of heartbeat using AED was the highest($2.76{\pm}.99$) for other emergency crews. For the revitalization of medical direction, the improvement in the capability of EMS(78.9%) was requested from emergency crew, and the ability to evaluate the medical state of patient was the highest(80.1%) in the level of request for medical director. The prehospital and direct medical direction was the highest(60.8%) for medical direction method, and the emergency medical facility was the highest(52.0%) for the placement of medical director, and the evaluation of appropriateness of EMS was the highest(66.1%) for the feedback content, and the reinforcement of emergency crew(emergency medical technicians) personnel was the highest(69.0%) for the improvement plan. Conclusion : The medical direction is an important policy in the prehospital EMS activity because 119 emergency medical technicians agreed the necessity of medical direction and over 80% of those who experienced medical direction said it was helpful. In addition, the simulation training program using algorithm and case study through feedback are necessary in order to enhance the technical capability of ambulance teams on the item of professional EMS with high level of request in the task scope of emergency medical technicians, and recognition of medical direction is the essence of the EMS field. In regards to revitalizing medical direction, the improvement of the task performance capability of 119 emergency medical technicians and medical directors, reinforcement of emergency medical activity personnel, assurance of trust between emergency medical technicians and the emergency physician, and search for professional operation plan of medical direction center are needed to expand the direct medical direction method for possible treatment beforehand through the participation by medical director even at the step in which emergency situation report is received.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.13-24
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this study is to understand the status of continuing education of the EMTs of the Korean fire department, to identify demand of them for content, method, and forms of the education, and to present basic data for developing more efficient, effective continuing education programs. Methods : The subjects of this study were 850 of the EMTs of the Korean fire department who work for fire stations located in Seoul and part of Gyeonggi-do and directly provide critical care in the field. The data was collected between February 8 and 28, 2010. Using SPSS 17.0 program, we obtained frequencies percentages, means, and standard deviations, and performed independent two sample t-test, one way ANOVA, and Cronbach's ${\alpha}$. Results : 1) As for status of the existing continuing education for of the EMTs of the Korean fire department, in general, the hour of each education was "less than four hours" (51.2%), the instructors of the education were "doctors" (65.2%), the method of the education was "lecture" (83.3%), the material for the education was "educational materials and slides" (97.2%), and the results from the education were "not helpful in job" (55.1%). 2) The effects of the EMTs of the Korean fire department were mean 2.44(${\pm}.51$), the ability was mean 2.40(${\pm}.50$), and the attitude was mean 2.49(${\pm}.57$) points. 3) As for the demands of the EMTs of the Korean fire department on the next continuing education, they preferred "the advanced cardiac life support(ACLS)" ($2.64{\pm}.62$) most in subject content, "investigating the demands of 119 emergency medical technicians annually" (44.1%) in methods to select subjects of the continuing education, "doctors and professors of Department of Emergency Medical Technology" in instructors of the education (190 persons, or 39.9%), "lectures with practices" in methods of the education (30.1%), and "One per year" (41.6%) and "less than four hours" (67.2%) in the period and hours of the text continuing education they hope. Conclusion : The continuing education for the EMTs of the Korean fire department conducts without accepting the demands of the technicians, In planning of the next continuing education, the results of this study suggest that it is needed to develop more various and professional educational program by active acquisition of the demands of the technicians.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.579-588
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the defibrillation efficiency according to the defibrillator type among paramedics by making a comparative analysis of the chest compression pause time and defibrillation efficiency after providing simulation education. The subjects in this study were 15 paramedics who were selected from a provincial 119 safety center. The experiment was conducted using a single-group pretest-post test design from March 2 to August 31, 2016. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS WIN 21.0, and a frequency analysis was conducted. The findings of this study were as follows: First, there was a significantly greater decrease in the chest compression pause time during CPR after providing simulation education when semi-automated defibrillators were used than when manual paddles and manual pads were employed. Second, there was a statistically significant decrease in the performance time of defibrillation when semi-automated defibrillators were used than when manual paddles and manual pads were used. The findings of this study are expected to provide paramedics with simulation education on how to promptly read ECGs using the manual mode of a semi-automated defibrillator to help more patients revive and on how to facilitate their job enlargement.