• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.99-115
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to provide basic data for clinical training program development by analyzing the operating conditions and satisfaction in a clinical training program for 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in South Korea. Methods: Data from 84 EMTs were collected on June 19, 2014. We administered a 64-item questionnaire about operating conditions and satisfaction in the clinical training program, and analyzed data (SPSS v 21.0). Results: The degree of performance in the field, importance of the item in the field, and level of difficulty were 3.36, 4.23, and 3.21, respectively. In the number of times that an item was directly performed according to the subjects' general characteristics a statistically difference in sex (p = .000), duty (p =.021), and total working time of trainees (p = .002). The subjects' total satisfaction score was 3.77. The difference in satisfaction according to the subjects' characteristics was a statistically significant in terms of sex (p = .016) and clinical training area (p = .005). Conclusion: A more efficient training system for hospital clinical training courses should be developed. The operation condition analyzed in this research may contribute to the improvement of the performance of EMTs.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2005

In Korea, the number of those who were drowned of the dead by 'accident and injury' ranked the third of causes of death is over 2,300 people a year. So the Ministry of Home Affairs arranged '119 drowning rescue team' at frequent occurrence regions of drowning temporarily as a part of drowning rescue measures during every summer season and made perfection more perfect for safety control and rescue services at prevention areas of accidents. However, considering that the number of professional drowning rescuers is small and it is managed temporarily only for summer, the placement of special rescue team equipped with professional education and qualification should be ensured and quick lifesaving and first-aid treatment should be conducted, since much time is required to arrive at accident place after receiving accident report at 119 office, rapid rescue and relief have not been achieved. Therefore, the placement of special rescue team should be increased for reducing the personal damages by considering regional characteristics and in particular placement of more drowning rescue teams in Jeonnam region which has more seas and rivers is needed This study aims at analyzing relief activities and statistics to cope with water accidents and achieve qualitative growth of first-aid services, examining actual conditions of water accident relief team and personnel assignment, providing first-aid services of good quality and establishing improvement methods to increase operation of relief team.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.117-126
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• 2004

In general, the patients who transferred to the hospital by 119 rescue service at night go to the emergency room(ER) of general hospital rather than that of their nearby the 1st(clinic) and 2nd(local hospital) hospital. And the hospital is mainly selected not by 119 EMST but by patients or his/her conservators. Therefore we had studied retrospectively with emergency situation diary and medical chart for 697 patients of being transferred to one emergency medical center for 6 months since January 2004, and results are as follows. 1. The 280 patients(42.5%) of being transferred hospital at night by 119 rescue service were not emergency case and their average staying time in hospital was about $7.15{\pm}10.06$ minutes. 2. Transfer time was distributed in each time intervals of 1819, 2021, 2223, and 2401 and patients ratio in each intervals were 15.1%, 17.8%, 16.4%, and 15.2%. 3. In response of ambulance, the average time from the spot to the hospital was $14.53{\pm}9.27min$. and average distance of that was $7.95{\pm}9.21km$. 4. Diseases rather than traffic accidents or traumatic injury were main causes of ambulance calling and its value was 533(76.5%), and accidents were mainly occurred in patients' house and its value was 479(68.7%). 5. In time of transfer by 119 rescue service, hospital was mainly selected by patient/conservator and its value was 648(93.0%). In result. the hospital was selected not by EMST but by patient/conservator. 6. The case that the 1st grade EMT was rode in ambulance was 161(23.1%), and the case that 2nd EMT and emergency team member who educated for emergency were rode in ambulance were 504(72.3%). So the number of the 1st grade EMT was short in fire station of Kwangju metropolitan city than other city. 7. The first aids for patients before reaching hospital were limited to oxygen inhalation, airway control, and BLS for maintaining limbs and spine. So it seems to be a simple patients transfer. Consequently, to establish an efficient emergency medical system, it has been thought that it should be advanced a moderate education and public information about the appropriate use of emergency medical system toward citizen, and also need the hospital selection by the patients categorizing standards for 119 rescue service member, securing the 1st grade EMT, appropriate first-aids education, and securing professional human power in emergency room of the Ist(clinic) and 2nd(local hospital) hospital at night.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.47-58
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of patients who canceled their ED visits and to determine the factors that influence ED cancellation. Methods: Retrospective study that analyzed data from the electronic medical records(EMR) and Prehospital Care Reports(PCRs) of 305 patients who cancelled their appointments at a single emergency medical center over a six-month period from October 12, 2022, to April 12, 2023. Results: ED cancellations were 2.287 times higher if the patient presented to the ambulance after outpatient hours(09:00~17:00) (p=.007), and ED cancellations were 3.712 times higher if the patient presented to the ambulance under the influence of alcohol(p=.011). For patients' symptoms, medical diseases were associated with a 1.965 times increase in cancelled ED visits compared to other modes of transport (p=.005), while mental and chronic diseases were associated with a 67.3% decrease in cancelled ED visits compared to other modes of transport (OR=0.327, CI=[0.130-0.822], p=.018). symptomatic improvement was associated with a 2.482 times increase in presentations to a 119 ambulance compared to delayed waiting time(p=.022). Conclusion: Emergency medical centers should consider improving the legal system, such as increasing emergency medical care fees, to reduce the number of patients who cancel their appointments.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.374-380
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• 2017

In this study, we analyzed the situation of the 119 emergency medical service zone of H town, countryside of Y city from January 1st, 2015 to December 31st, 2016 and then, on the basis of this analysis, we investigated the present condition of the patient-transportation service of the 119 emergency medical service to provide the basic data in order for patients to use the emergency medical service more efficiently. We analyzed the data with SPSS 21.0 using frequency analysis and, after positioning the virtual 119 emergency medical service, we analyzed the data of the transportation time and transportation distance by using GIS. The results of this study show that the use of the 119 emergency medical service for people over 65 years old represents approximately 57% of the total number of patients transported, The average distance and time of the real moving reaction are 6.41 km and 11.86 min, respectively. The distance and time from the pick-up location to the hospital are 18.24 km and 21.52 min, respectively. Given the present position of the 119 emergency medical service, the results of this analysis using GPS show that the (average) distance and time from the 119 emergency medical service to Jang * Ri town are 9.12 km and 12 min, and the (average) total distance and time to arrive at the hospital after the emergency medical service picks up the patient are 36.83 km and 62 min, respectively. In the case of the virtual emergency medical service, the total distance and time required to arrive at the hospital after the emergency medical service picks up the patient are 27.71km and 50min, respectively. The results of this study showed that the present position of the 119 emergency service does not provide the optimum distance and time from the patient's location to the hospital. Therefore, we consider that the repositioning of the 119 emergency medical center is necessary, in order to reduce the time required for the emergency medical service to move to the patient's location and then bring the patient to the hospital.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.43-51
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• 2012

Purpose : We try to disclose how much the keywords of the papers from the Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services with Medical Subject Headings(MeSH) terminologies and to understand the major subjects of the recent emergency medical technology research in Korea from keywords. Methods : We analyzed keywords from 524 articles of the Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services that were published between 2005 and 2011. We investigated frequently used keywords and what percentages of keywords agree with MeSH terms using the MeSH browser. Results : There were on average 3.2 keywords per article. The most frequent key words were AED, Attitude, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, CPR, EMT, EMT students, External Defibrillator, Job satisfaction, Knowledge, 119 EMT in order. The number of terms in precise agreement with MeSH headings was 101(19.3%); 327 terms(62.4%) were not found in the MeSH browser and 96 terms(18.3%) partially matched MeSH terms. Conclusion : Many keywords used in the Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services did not agree with MeSH terms. We conclude that contribution rules should be using MeSH terms and authors should be educated in the proper use of MeSH terms in their research and subsequent publication.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.111-119
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• 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
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-55
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for improving the response capacity of 119 EMS systems by analyzing the effects of particulate matter on cardio-cerebrovascular and respiratory symptoms in the pre-hospital stage. Methods: We examined 46,389 patients who transferred to the hospital with complaints of cardiopulmonary arrest and cardio-cerebrovascular and respiratory symptoms by 119 ambulances in Incheon from 2016 to 2018. Results: The probability of 119 emergency dispatch for patients with cardiopulmonary arrest increased 2.8-4.0% from the day of symptom onset until two days before hospital presentation as particulate matter 10㎛ or less in diameter(PM₁₀) increased by 10㎍/㎥ (OR=1.028; 95% CI=1.014-1.041, p=0.000, lag 0), (OR=1.040; 95% CI=1.024-1.056, p=0.000, lag 1), (OR=1.032; 95% CI=1.016-1.049, p=0.000, lag 2). Meanwhile, emergency dispatch increased 3.6-6.1% for PM_2.5 in creased by 10㎍/㎥ (OR=1.046; 95% CI=1.024-1.068, p=0.000, lag 0), (OR=1.061; 95% CI=1.035-1.088, p=.000, lag 1), and (OR=1.036; 95% CI=1.010-1.063, p=0.006, lag 2). Conclusion: Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who respond to 119 calls should rapidly and accurately evaluate patients and provide professional emergency care by identifying the characteristics of the vulnerable groups relative to particulate matter size. To prevent the occurrence and exacerbation of symptoms caused by particulate matter, EMTs should be prepared and equipped with a response system for high particulate matter in the EMS system.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2017

Purpose: The study investigated the perception, report, and education of elder abuse in 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Korea. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to 110 EMTs in K city, and 100 answers were collected from June 1 to 10, 2015. The study instrument was perception regarding elder abuse and education inventory developed by Kim and Kim. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 18.0 version. Results: The elder abuse perception score was 3.81 on a Likert 4-point scale. Physical abuse was the most common type, followed by verbal, financial, negligence, and emotional abuse. Most EMTs recognized that is important for the prevention of elder abuse, but most of them had no experience in reporting abuse. A majority of the EMTs had attended an elder abuse program and recognized the importsnce of such program. Conclusion: This study suggests the necessity of more targeted education of elder abuse prevention combined with family counseling methods and practical approach toward awareness of elder abuse.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.55-69
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze the prehospital care report prepared by EMS squads of 119 center in Gyeonggi area and to identify the status of prehospital care activities, problems and improvement possibilities of the emergency care. Method : Five hundred copies of prehospital care report prepared by EMS squads in thirty-eight 119 centers under 18 fire stations in Gyeonggi area from March to April in 2008 were randomly chosen for the analysis. Data abstracted according to the purpose of the study were input and the analysis of prehospital care activities were performed using SPSS-WIN(ver. 16) statistics package. Results : 1. Total 500 cases of prehospital emergency care activities were reviewed. By sex, females were 219 (43.8%) and males were 281 (56.2%). The places of reporting were home (57.8%). According to the type of emergency, 281 cases (56.2%) were caused by disease and 291 (43.8%) were from other causes such as traffic accidents or incidental injuries. 2 The average time needed for the 119 EMS squad to arrive at the scene after being reported was 7.29 minutes. The time used at the scene for the emergency care was 7.3 minutes in average and the time to arrive at the hospital was 25.4 minutes in average. 3. In patient evaluation, in 68% of the cases more than two vital signs were measured at one time and emergency patients were 31%, and non-emergency patients were 69%. 4. In one EMS activity, average 2.15 cases of emergency care were provided to a patient. The cases where two kinds of emergency care were given were 14.4%, which is the most frequent cases. When reviewing the details of the emergency cares given to the patient including multiple cares, trivial cards (taking it easy and giving comfort) were the most frequent one as 40.6% and the medical direction of the doctor was given in only one case out of 500 cases. 5. In patient evaluation and emergency care, vital signs were provided to emergency patients at significantly higher rate comparing to the non-emergency patients. The number of emergency care performance was significantly higher in emergency cases. In emergency dispatch, the cases that EMT (1st class) was on board was 86.2%. When comparing the cases when the 1st class EMT was on board and otherwise, the cases with the presence of 1st class EMT showed more vital signs were detected but there was no significant difference in the number of emergency cares provided. Conclusion : It seemed that the on-scene emergency care did not satisfy the expectations. So it is necessary to enforce the cooperation between the elements, the qualifications of the 119 EMS squads and to improve the prehospital working environment in order to provide the better medical service at any time.