• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.67-76
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of chest compressions and ventilation when using an mechanical device(LUCAS) and 2-men manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) performed on a minikin, as well as to propose a more effective CPR method during transit. Methods: Data were collected by LUCAS and manual virtual reality based ambulance simulation. Analysis was performed using SPSS software 12.0. The average and standard deviation of chest compression depth and ventilation were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test. Results: In the virtual reality based LUCAS and manual CPR results, LUCAS showed better chest compression and lower incomplete chest release than manual CPR. During CPR with a chest compression-ventilation ratio of 30:2 in virtual reality ventilation with bag-valve mask was able to deliver an adequate volume of breathing. Conclusion: It is suggested that rescuers on ambulance may consider using LUCAS as an alternative to high-quality chest compression during transit.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.14-20
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• 2012

This study analyzes the influencing factors of prehospital 119 Emergency Medical Service for Stroke Patients in prehospital. From July, 2010 to June, 2011, 123 patients were diagnosed with Stroke in Emergency Medical Center. Among 123 patients, the prehospital assessment rates were as follows : blood pressure checked 73.2 %, pulse checked 73.2 %, respiratory checked 64.2 %, $SpO_2$ checked 79.7 %, pupil reflex test 88.6 %, Electrocardiogram checked 14.6 %, blood sugar checked 19.5 %. Prehospital emergency medical care, Oropharyngeal airway insertion 2.4 %, Manual airway maneuvers 17.1 %, endotracheal intubation 2.7 %, oxygen supply 35.4 %, and suction and intravenous fluid therapy 0 %. The property of mental status evaluation by 119 Emergency Medical Service was nearly perfect, but the patients assessment and emergency medical care were not.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.27-38
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• 2020

Purpose: Stroke is a time-sensitive disease that could have reduced complications and mortality with timely diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to analyze the causes of delay in detecting the clinical signs and symptoms of stroke. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed the emergency medical services reports of suspected stroke patients with positive predictive values on the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale. The study was conducted in Daejeon, Republic of Korea from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2017. Results: Prolonged prehospital time was associated with high blood pressure, history of cerebrovascular disease, and incidences during daily activities, and sleep. High blood pressure and complications from a previous stroke strongly associated with the prolonged stroke-detection phase (p<.05). Total prehospital time was shortened when patients had evident stroke symptoms, such as decreased level of consciousness, dysarthria, and hemiplegia (p<.05). There was no significant difference in gender or age as a factor that delayed the total prehospital time of the suspected stroke patients. Conclusion: Many patients did not recognize the early clinical symptoms and signs of a stroke. Furthermore, risk factors, such as high blood pressure and history of stroke, prolonged the total prehospital time. Therefore, we need targeted interventions that educate about warning symptoms of stroke, along with emphasis on the importance of emergency calls to substantially reduce the prehospital delays.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.129-138
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• 2022

Purpose: To analyze the frequency of emergency room visits according to socioeconomic factors of emergency room visitors. Methods: In this study, frequency analysis, percentage analysis, and x² test were performed using the SPSS 23.0 program based on the 2018 data from the Korea Health Panel. Results: Among 1,648 participants included in this study, 1,279 visited the emergency room only once in the past year, while 369 visited the emergency room more than once. The relationship between frequency of emergency room visits and socioeconomic factors was analyzed using x² test, and no statistically significant relationship was noted between emergency room visits and education, economic activity, insurance type, and individual quartile income. However, a significant relationship was noted between emergency room visits and being handicap and living in households with quintile income. Conclusion: The study determined the relationship between frequency of emergency room visits and socioeconomic factors. A follow-up study analyzing socioeconomic factors of outpatient departments, 119 ambulance transport services, and frequency of emergency room visits among chronically ill patients is needed to provide basic data for establishing health policies among different socioeconomic strata.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.211-216
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• 2010

Fire service personnel and ambulance paramedics suffer musculoskeletal disorders as they lift and carry patients while performing Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The objective of the current study was performed to examine the association between working environment and musculoskeletal disorders of 119 paramedics and to analysis the EMS activities for them through basic survey (including task characteristics, risk factors, symptoms and illnesses). Observational job analysis of EMS activities indicated the squatting posture during first-aid performed on floor and the abrupt use of force during carrying heavy load including stretcher with patients on as hazard factors, and excessive low back twisting and bending during stairway transfer was observed. In addition, work-physiological assessment revealed various but rather high lumbar muscle usage rate among the study subjects, being 14.6~32.8% compared with Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) during patients transfer work. Resting heart rate showed 65/min, on the other hand, heart rate on mobilization indicated maximum 124~156/min. Therefore, the results of analysis to the EMS activities, rescuer activities and medical tasks were accompanied with high possibility of accident and musculoskeletal disorders. Also, EMS activities indicated high muscle fatigue and energy consumption, and accumulated muscle fatigue with during continued work.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.19-32
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• 2015

Purpose: This study examined the effect of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), positive airway pressure, and the posture of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) when conducting CPR. Methods: Twenty 119 EMTs performed 30:2 CPR on a manikin for 4 min. Imaging data were digitized with Kwon3D XP (version 4.0). Data were collected by analyzing the motion when starting in one cycle, such as pressing to the maximum and in the final position (relaxed), and were analyzed with SPSS 18.0. Results: The angle of the elbow joints was significantly reduced (p < .05). The trunk angle was statistically significantly (p < .01, p < .001) increased. The angular velocities of the shoulder joint and left elbow joint were reduced (p > .05). The angular velocity of the trunk was significantly reduced in the starting and maximum compression postures. The hand-escape time was increased. The average compression depth was increased but not significantly (p > .05). The positive airway pressure was reduced (p > .05). Conclusion: The angle of the elbow joints and the angular velocity of the trunk were reduced, and the angle of the trunk was increased. The success of CPR and positive airway pressure was reduced.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 1997

This study of the positive rates of HBsAg, anti-HBs among 119 Emergency Medical Technicians and Rescuers who were working in Pohang, Kyoung-Buk, Korea was performed from March to June 1997 according to three methods of EIA, RPHA and PHA. The number of samples were 201. The results were as follows; The overall positive rate of HBs Ag by EIA and RPHA methods were 4.98%, 5.47%, the overall positive rate of anti-HBs by EIA and PHA methods were 58.71%, 63.68%. In detecting of HBs Ag, concurrence rate, sensitivity, specificity and predictability of PHA to EIA were 99.5%, 90.9%, 100% and 99.75% respectively. In detecting of anti-HBs, concurrence rate, sensitivity, specificity and predictability of PHA to EIA were 91.04%, 89%, 94.5% and 89.87% respectively. Based on this study, there were no significant diffrences in the positive rates of HBsAg and Anti-HBs in 119 Emergency Medical Technicians and Rescurers in Pohang, Korea as compared with the general population according to other studies. In terms of concurrence rate, sensitivity, specificity and the costs of RPHA with EIA for detecting HBsAg, RPHA is more cost effective than EIA for mass screening of HBsAg detection. Also, In terms of concurrence rate, sensitivity and specificity of PHA with EIA, PHA is more cost effective and less problems of procedure than the EIA for mass screening of Anti-HBs detection.

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

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.169-184
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to find out the 119 rescue and first aid's satisfaction level for their occupations, understand the influential factors of the satisfaction level and also analyze the level of each working districts. Therefore to provide basic information of policy decisions to increase the satisfaction level. Date were collected from 400 national the 119 rescue and first aids by questionnaire and using the tools, which has developed by Slavitt, from August 2 to September 30, 2002. The data were analyzed by percentage, mean t-test and ANOVA. Divided 39 items into 7 provinces to find out the satisfaction level of each province, follow as the influential factors of the satisfaction level. 1. The most of the 119 rescue and first aids were satisfying about their occupations as they got 3.02 marks out of 5, which is the full mark. 2. As the results after analyzed the relation ship between the satisfaction level and the general characteristics of analyzed the relation ship between the satisfaction level and the general characteristics of the 119 rescue and first aids, there were not statistically significant differences of sex distinction, age, scholarship, not married and has or have married, grade and qualification. There were statistically significant differences follow as working period, applying motive, moving, seeking a job, working place, an adviser, work overtime and compensation follow as work overtime. 3. It appeared that all the 119 rescue and first aids were satisfying enough about duty itself but were dissatisfying about working condition. As the results; job itself got 4.00, reciprocal action got 3.74, business demand got 3.28, autonomy got 3.06, organization demand got 2.96, pay got 2.43 and working condition got 1.72, each out of 5 full marks. As you see the results, most of the 119 rescue and first aids are satisfying about a job itself but they are dissatisfying about their working condition. Therefore we should formulate a plan that can increase the satisfaction level by improving duty system for 24 working hours per week.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.101-112
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to contribute to the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) by evaluating ergonomic risk factors of patient lifting work-postures. Methods: Four procedures were evaluated: using long back-board (LBB) on the sitting and standing main stretcher, using variable stretcher on the sitting and standing main stretcher. Wok-postures were assessed during training. Results: In using LBB on the sitting main stretcher, the OWAS-score was Mode:3 (Mean:2.30, Maximum:3), the REBA-score was Mode:9 (Mean:7.61, Maximum:11), requiring improvement soon. In using LBB on the standing main stretcher, the OWAS-score was Mode:3 (Mean:2.33, Maximum:3), requiring as soon as possible corrective action, the REBA-score was Mode:6 (Mean:5.44, Maximum:11), requiring improvement. In using variable stretcher on the sitting main stretcher, the OWAS-score was Mode:1 (Mean:1.85, Maximum:3), not requiring corrective action, the REBA-score was Mode:6 (Mean:6.78, Maximum:11), requiring improvement. In using variable stretcher on the standing main stretcher, the OWAS-score was Mode:3 (Mean:2.84, Maximum:3), requiring as soon as possible corrective action, the REBA-score was Mode:11 (Mean:9.38, Maximum:11), requiring immediate improvement. Conclusion: All four-procedures showed improvement in work-posture. Thereby, required attention and management in training, occupational health professionals should participate in change of lifting-method, and programs aimed at preventing MSDs should be developed and implemented in fire-academy and fire-station.