• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.7-19
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate and assess the response capabilities and educational needs of 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in chemical accidents. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 167 119 EMTs between December 1st and December 31, 2023. The questionnaire comprised 8 questions on general characteristics, 2 on chemical accidents experienced by the participants, 29 on response capabilities, and 15 on educational needs. Data analysis was performed using t-tests, analysis of variance, Duncan's test for post-hoc analysis, and Pearson's correlation coefficient, using SPSS 27.0. Results: The participants scored 2.69 points on response capacity to chemical accidents. The EMT-Paramedics scored high in 'patient triage,' 'patient treatment,' 'patient transport,' and 'collaborative support' (F=3.924, p=.010; F=5.843, p=.001; F=3.698, p=.013; F=5.272, p=.002), followed by educational experience (t=-4.962, p<.001; t=-2.685, p=.008; t=-3.455, p=.001; t=-3.593, p<.001; t=-3.034, p=.003). The participants scored 4.19 points on educational needs, with high scores for 'patients treatment and transport' (4.280.93). The scores for 'patient triage competency', and 'patient triage' (r=.169, p=.024) correlated positively. Furthermore, the scores for 'patient treatment competency' and all sub-factors of educational needs (r=.185, p=.013; r=.215, p=.004; r=.199, p=.008; r=.190, p=.011; r=.197, p=.008) correlated positively. Conclusion: To strengthen the response capabilities of 119 EMTs, it is imperative to develop an educational program that focuses on first-aid responses.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.105-124
• /
• 2023

Modern society is facing an unstable environment due to unexpected accidents and hazardous situations. For example, incidents such as the collapse of the Bundang Bridge and the crushing accident in Itaewon could serve as examples. In addition to these, critical emergencies like sudden cardiac arrests and strokes frequently occur, requiring swift actions and smooth transfers to specialized medical institutions for effective responses. In response to these risks, the country has been establishing various systems to protect the lives and safety of its citizens. Among these, the 119 First Aid Activities plays a crucial role within the emergency medical system. Its goal is to promptly respond to critical emergency situations involving severe trauma patients or patients with serious illnesses, minimizing damage and safeguarding lives by swiftly transferring them to emergency medical institutions for specialized treatment. The core activity related to this is emergency rescue operations. In particular, the 119 First Aid system serves as a crucial institution responsible for the hospital transportation of emergency patients. However, rescue personnel still encounter cases of interference with their activities during their duties. Despite efforts from the police, these interference cases persist, and they share similarities with the crime of obstructing official duties. Interference with emergency activities exhibits a comparable nature to instances such as physical assaults and equipment damage against emergency medical practitioners working within the emergency medical system. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding and improvement efforts regarding the issues of interference that arise during the process of emergency medical activities, including the 119 First Aid system, are necessary. The solution to these problems is to establish and improve the conditions for obstruction of first aid activities, focusing on the "Framework Act on Firefighting" and the "Act on 119 Rescue and Emergency."

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.10 no.5
• /
• pp.85-94
• /
• 2019

This study was aimed to identify a study on the effect of chest compressions combined with abdominal drawing-in technique on prevention of back pain and chest compression quality. We tested motion analysis, electromyography, and chest compression quality of 15 paramedics. Data were normalized to SPSS 21.0 (Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk test). The paired t-test was used for the pre- and post-test chest compressions, the one-way ANOVA was used for the analysis of the measurement point-in-time differences, and LSD was used for the post-test. The results of the study showed significant difference in muscle activity and chest compression success rate when the chest pressure was applied with abdomen drawing-in. Therefore, it is necessary to study cardiopulmonary resuscitation education which can increase the chest compression success rate while preventing the back pain of the paramedics in the future.

• Journal of forensic and investigative science
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.50-66
• /
• 2007

An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a well-trained emergency responder to provide emergency medical services to the critically ill and injured patient. In various situations, EMT may destroy potential physical evidences associated with the crime scene or determination of real cause of death. This study was aimed to evaluate the educational need of forensic medicine in Korean EMT. Questionnaires were administered to 592 EMTs during March 2007. The response rate was 60.3%(357 EMTs). In questionnaires there were 13 questions regarding the general characteristics, 16 questions about roles of EMTs related with forensic circumstances, 9 questions about the education related to forensic medicine. Questionnaires rated on a 4-point Likert scale or 5-point Likert scale. Most of 119 rescue EMTs had experienced with situations related to crime or unexpected sudden death. EMTs had arrived to the scenes earlier than police and complained of some difficulties related with deficit of forensic knowledge. EMTs wanted to receive continuous educations about forensic medicine. In order to reduce dissatisfaction with EMTs roles and to improve crime scene preservations, Emergency Medical Services policies should provide regular educational curriculum by forensic pathologists and promote legal responsibilities for 119 rescue EMTs.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.57-70
• /
• 2016

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the current state of emergency care for patients with anaphylaxis and to identify problems and areas for improvement in prehospital care. Methods: This study was conducted using 119 emergency running sheets and medical records of 109 patients diagnosed with anaphylaxis. Questionnaires were also given to emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and emergency physicians. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. Results: Prehospital emergency care included oxygen administration in 64.2%, an intravenous line in 15.6%, and medication injection in 11.0%. The most commonly administered medications were antihistamines in 66.7% and epinephrine in 8.3%. Of EMTs surveyed, 47.0% suggested an epinephrine injection and using direct medical control, while 53.8% of the emergency physicians suggested an epinephrine injection and using indirect medical control. Most emergency physicians 88.8% responded that epinephrine could be administered by EMTs. Conclusion: The data support epinephrine injection of patients with anaphylaxis by EMTs, but a larger sample size of EMTs is required. Education about the treatment of anaphylaxis should be improved for EMTs. The scope of paramedic responsibilities should also be redefined.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.21-33
• /
• 2014

Purpose: A descriptive study design was used to investigate infection management awareness and infection management performance for clothing management in 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Method: 188 paramedics and basic EMTs completed questionnaires between March 1 and April 30, 2013 in Jeollabuk-do. Results: Participants' average score for infection control awareness was 2.69 and that for performance was 1.58, with the differences being statistically significant (t = 931.455, p = .003). Participants' general characteristics resulted in differences in infection management performance. Women (1.63) have scored higher than men (1.28), and the difference was statistically significant (t = 11.174, p = .001). Participants who had clinical experience (1.63) had higher scores than participants who did have clinical experience before (1.53) and, again, the difference was significant (t = 7.167, p = .009). Conclusion: Education program for infection management is need to be developed for more effective infection management.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.133-153
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the status of emergency care of pregnant women transported by paramedics, to analyze the knowledge of paramedics related to pregnant women and their self-confidence in emergency care, and to provide foundational data to improve the quality of emergency care for pregnant women. Methods: We received a total of 1,798 rescue logs from 119 paramedics, who had transported pregnant women, in I city from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018. For survey analysis, we used the 164 questionnaires received from these paramedics from June 15 to August 14, 2019. Results: The analysis of the rescue logs revealed that 85.5% (1,537 individuals) either had disease symptoms or were pregnant, whereas only 14.5% (261 individuals) had traffic accidents or accident-related injuries. The mean knowledge of the paramedics related to pregnant women was 23.73 (±2.98) points, and the mean self-confidence in emergency care was 3.19 (±0.74) points. Knowledge of the paramedics about pregnant women and their self-confidence in emergency care of these women had a statistically significant positive correlation (r=.306, p=.000). Conclusion: Paramedics should be provided theoretical and practical training through various programs about the emergency care of pregnant women.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.111-119
• /
• 2005

Glucose is the most importantenergy source in the central nervous system. Because the central nervous system cannot synthesize or store glucose. low blood glucose even for a short period results in no functionally normal activity of the brain. In addition, continuous low blood glucosecan cause irreversible brain damage and brain death. Therefore, the current status of emergency care by first aid staffs during transfer of patients with hypoglycemia has been investigated in this study, 114 patients who have visited the hospital using 119 Emergency Medical Service from January 1, 2004 till December, 2004 and shown blood glucose of 2.8 mmol/L and less on arrival have been involved. In case of nurses, assistant nurses, first aid staffs receiving first aid training and second-class emergency medical technicians(EMTs), they provided basic life support (BLS). In case of first-class EMTs, they measured blood sugar and then they orally administered glucose to conscious patients or provided simple first aids and prompt transfer for unconscious patients. As a result of analysis, it is suggested that first aid retraining is required.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.91-105
• /
• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to describe the current status of 119 EMT to violence experiences in Korea. Method : The number of 119 EMT in this study 2522. Self-administering questionnaire data were collected from April 27 to March 8 in 2009. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 14.0 program. Real number, percentage, mean and standard deviation were calculated. Pearson correlation coefficient was analyzed. Result : 119 EMTs experienced 95.32%-verbal insults, 61.54%-violence aggression, 60.51%- potential violence, 38.70%-physical assault. Within 30 days from the most recent period of violence experienced verbal insults and violence aggression-51.07%, potential violence and physical assault-48.41%. The patients(50.59%) and the patients and patient's carers(38.26%) proved to be violent offender. The main reason of violent act was drug or alcohol addiction(56.15%). Recent exposure to violence was 34.82% by 7 point reward of stress level. 5-point scale showed the average of experiences of violence. Response average of emotional reactions was 2.66 points and that of physical reaction was 2.18 points. Social reaction was 2.06 points. Conclusion : This study was based on the violence experience of 119 EMT. It is necessary to prevent the violence from emergency scene. So we proposed the preventive measure against violence as well as critical incident stress debriefing(CISD). Policy for CISD and stress management will be implemented in the near future in Korea.

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