• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.101-113
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide an appropriate direction for effective field practice program by analyzing the influencing factors on satisfaction of field instructor in ambulance ride practice of paramedic students in Korea. Methods: The questionnaires were filled out by 204 paramedic students from July 22 to September 13, 2013. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS WIN 19.0 program. Results: The stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the most powerful predictor of satisfaction of field instructor was sincerity of directions. A combination of sincerity of directions (38.2%), achievement(15.4%), improvement of knowledge(3.9%) 4-week field practice(3.0%), 2 week field practice(1.6%), 4 grade(1.8%) pre-expectation of field practice(1.8%) accounted for 65.6% of the variance in paramedic students. Conclusion: We proposed the effective field practice program as well as sincerity of directions of field instructors. It is necessary to discuss before ambulance ride practice within the faculty and the field instructors.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.67-81
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• 2014

Purpose : The purpose of the study is to provide the basic data for preceptorship education program development by analyzing the recognition and acceptance concerning the introduction of preceptorship to ambulance ride practice of 119 EMT-paramedics in Korea. Methods : A self-reported questionnaire was filled out by 157 paramedics in the fire fighters from December 21, 2013 to February 12, 2014. The questionnaire consisted of 31 questions and the data were analyzed by SPSS version 21.0. Results : Most of the subjects answered the positive choice and were very interested in the introduction of preceptorship in the prehospital settings. Mean of preceptorship acceptance level was 3.64 points in 5 points Likert scale and 75.4% of the subjects were able to explain the preceptorship. 57.4% of the subjects considered that preceptorship was an effective training method. Conclusion : Most of the subjects agreed that the preceptorship is very important to the education of paramedic students. The preceptorship education program development will be the basis of ambulance ride practice.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.89-100
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• 2005

Due to the improvement in life, we, human beings, are living in the more convenient world. However, as society gets complex, it comes to be faced a dangerous situation that needs to request a help due to an unexpected accident. The promptly emergency relief and emergency treatment from this accident, can be said to be extremely important in increasing a rate of resuscitation. This study analyzed on a case study and problems about the Emergency Medical System out of hospital in our country. The contents in the results of a study can be summarized as follows. 1. given the occurrence of medical disputes in a situation of emergency treatment, the regulation in the legal protection 'Will need to be reinforced. 2. in relation to the mobilization of ambulance, the preferentially passage right in ambulance needs to be guaranteed. In general, the preferentially passage right in ambulance is secured, but it will need to be supplemented by improving the education in civic consciousness and the social system. 3. in case of emergency duties in the emergency medical technician, the countermeasure will need to be strengthened in terms of abusive language and violence from a citizen. 4. in terms of emergency duties in the emergency medical technician, aiming to keep safety from a sudden situation, the possession of the protective equipments will need to be completely provided. 5. the limitation of activity will need to be eased by expanding the range of duties in the emergency medical technician within the ambulance, and the opening of duties will need not to be allowed to the similarly job category. 6. it needs to be reinforced the safety of the emergency medical technician from infectious diseases. Aiming at these emergency medical technicians whose service spirit is thoroughgoing, the nation and the local government will need to form all the conditions in which emergency medical technicians can be active passionately.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2016

Background: Previous research has shown that paramedics are exposed to risks in the form of injuries to the musculoskeletal system. In addition, there are studies showing that they are also at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and psychiatric diseases, which can partly be explained by their constant exposure to stress. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the use of shoulder straps decreases physical effort in the form of decreased heart rate and cortisol concentration. Methods: A stretcher with a dummy was carried by 20 participants for 400 m on two occasions, one with and one without the shoulder straps. Heart rate was monitored continuously and cortisol samples were taken at intervals of 0 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and 60 minutes. Each participant was her or his own control. Results: A significant decrease in heart rate and cortisol concentration was seen when shoulder straps were used. The median values for men (with shoulder straps) at 0 minutes was 78 bpm/21.1 nmol/L (heart rate/cortisol concentration), at 15 minutes was 85 bpm/16.9 nmol/L, and at 60 minutes was 76 bpm/15.7 nmol/L; for men without shoulder straps, these values were 78 bpm/21.9 nmol/L, 93 bpm/21.9 nmol/L, and 73 bpm/20.5 nmol/L. For women, the values were 85 bpm/23.3 nmol/L, 92 bpm/20.8 nmol/L, and 70 bpm/18.4 nmol/L and 84 bpm/32.4 nmol/L, 100 bpm/32.5 nmol/L, and 75 bpm/25.2 nmol/L, respectively. Conclusion: The use of shoulder straps decreases measurable physical stress and should therefore be implemented when heavy equipment or a stretcher needs to be carried. An easy way to ensure that staff use these or similar lifting aids is to provide them with personalized, well-adapted shoulder straps. Another better option would be to routinely sewn these straps into the staff's personal alarm jackets so they are always in place and ready to be used.

• 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 Health Service Management
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.21-34
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• 2013

Hospitals in Korea are enforcing a quality control over 119Emergency Medical Services to increase the survival rate of Out of Hospital Cardiac arrest patients. This study is to analyze the factors that effect the survival rate of Out of hospital Cardiac arrest patients by comparing the results of before and after the quality control enforcement. Cardiac arrest patients can be assorted into pre-decision group and decision group. The study analyzed the survival factors which was based on the adequate use of 119 BLS and ACLS usage rates, response time of 119EMS, qualification of ambulance worker, number of EMS team members, and adequate use of AED according to ECG diagnosis. The analyzation was done over total 1,233 of Cardiac arrest patients from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011 After the enforcement of the quality control, the usage of Vital sign check and BLS showed a big difference. Especially, as the usage of ECG showed a significant difference, Shockable rhythm, which is the most important to Cardiac arrest patients, also showed a significant difference. After the enforcement of quality control, the performance of ACLS showed a significant difference in IV. The study showed 119 ambulance workers provided better service in Vital sign and BLS and ACLS after the enforcement of quality control. It is considered a 119 ambulance service effects the survival rate of Cardiac arrest patients. Therefore, it can increase the survival rate and it is necessary to continue a quality control.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.9-20
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• 2013

Purpose: This research project addressed the need to designing more safe and efficient interior of the future ambulance in Korea. Methods: The study sample contained 760 paramedics in 4 districts. Data was collected by using a revised and complemented questionnaire based on literature review. Results: In relation to the efficacy and safety of work, answers related to storage closet showed to be the highest, and the most difficult part of paramedic work in an ambulance was lurching. CPR is the most frequently used emergency care inside an ambulance, but 66% of the paramedics responded that accurate CPR is not possible during vehicle transfer. Safety belts are not worn for 82.8% of the time, because of discomfort (51.3%). 13.8% of the paramedics responded that stretchers are unstable, 29.5% had an experience of having patients fall off the stretcher inside an ambulance. There were comments on installing equipments to prevent noise, and assist communication. Conclusion: The suggested practical layout contains five main modifications 1. Developing specially designed belt is needed for paramedic safety & efficient work. 2. The seats are molded to be ergonomically friendly. 3. Equipments to secure the body and safety devices for CPR are needed. 4. System improvement for communication between the driver seat and paramedics is needed. 5. The stretchers are molded to be maximize efficiency and minimize injury.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.199-210
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• 2004

Since the 119 fire department was legally permitted to serve in Emergency Medical Service(EMS)Operation of emergency patients in 1983, 119 EMS operation in general has made a big progress in serving the needs for emergency patients. Currently EMS operation is carried out by 119 EMS unit, private ambulance Co.,etc. But due to the public recognition and volunteers, 119 EMS operation carries the major share of the service. This observation is not surprising in that such a trends occured in Japan 20 years ago. This paper compared the 119 EMS operation conducted by the fire department in Korea with that of Japan in order to draw some inferences from the comparison. The results of the study compared to Japan were as follows: 1. Japan was higher 1.5 times in the number of EMS units per population(100,000), 1.1 times in the number of patient transports per unit. 2. Japan was higher 4.54 times in the number of the 119 EMS personnel per population(100,000), 30.6 times in that per square killometers, 30.6 times per 119 EMS unit, in per ambulance 2.48times. 3. Japan was higher 1.83 times in the number of ambulance per population(100,000), 1.26 times in that per square killo meters. 4. Japan was higher 1.7 times in the number of transport patients per population (100,000), but Korea was higher 2.68 times in the transport patients per EMS personal. 5. Compared to Japan, there was no emergency care related to ALS, for example, such as administering dugs orally and intravenously, interpreting elctrocardiograms, performing endotracheal tube or LMA insertion, using monitors and other complex equipments in Korea.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.11
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• pp.177-182
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• 2017

The purpose of the study is to investigate the intravenous access of paramedics in ambulance. The study consisted of confidence change in pre and post intravenous access by driving condition and speed of the vehicle. The research subjects were 30 119 paramedics (20 level 1 emergency medical technicians, 10 nurses), and 6 ambulance driving conditions were established in order to measure the number of attempts at intravenous access. The data was collected for 9 days from May 18 through May 27, 2017. The results show no disparities in number of attempts in terms of stop conditions and flat section driving conditions(p=.161) although there were significant disparities in unpaved road(p=.003), speed bump(p=.005), curve(p=.022), and slope(p=.003) section driving conditions. Confidence appeared to significantly rise(p=.000) after the experiment. In conclusion, it is recommended that swift intravenous access inside an ambulance while driving is attempted when the vehicle has come to a stop or a flat section and paramedics should maintain their confidence in intravenous access through continued training.