• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.152-158
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• 2019

This study examined the socio-economic and clinical characteristics associated with the use of ambulance services among pregnant, childbearing, and postpartum women based on data from the 2008-2016 Korea Health Panel. The analysis revealed that among the pregnant, childbearing, and postpartum women, the proportion using all ambulance services was 18.9% whereas 12.0% used private and 119 ambulances. Moreover, among those using ambulance services, delivery was the most common reason (38.7%) followed by complications of labor and delivery (20.0%) and pregnancy with abortive outcome (17.3%). There were statistically significant differences between the users and non-users of ambulance services in terms of the average annual household income, emergency arrival time, and delayed arrival at the emergency room. As childbirth becomes more complicated due to low fertility and elderly mothers, the expansion and improvement of ambulance services as a social safety net for pregnant, childbearing, and postpartum women will become increasingly important.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.108-114
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• 2015

Purpose: To improve outcome of severe trauma patient, the shortening of transport time is needed. Although helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) is still a subject of debate, it must also be considered for trauma system. The aim of this study is to assess whether transport method (HEMS versus ground EMS) is associated with outcome among inter-hospital transport. Methods: All trauma patients transported to regional emergency center by either HEMS or ground EMS from September 2011 to September 2014. We have classified patients according to two groups by transport method. Age younger than 15 years and self-discharged patients were excluded. Results: A total of 427 patients were available for analysis during this period. 60 patients were transported by HEMS and 367 patients were transported by ground EMS. HEMS group had higher mortality than ground EMS group (23.3% vs 3.5%; p<0.001), and included more patients with excess mortality ratio adjusted injury severity score (EMR-ISS) above 25 (91.7% vs 48.8%; p<0.001). In the multivariable regression analysis, HEMS was not associated with improved outcome compared with ground EMS, but only EMR-ISS was associated with a mortality of patients (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.09). Conclusion: In this study, helicopter emergency medical services transport was not associated with a decreased of mortality among the trauma patients who inter-hospital transported to the regional emergency center.

• 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.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.15 no.2
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• pp.27-42
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• 2011

Purpose: This study intended to improve quality of prehospital emergency care for trauma patients by figuring out its current situations and problems based on run-sheets and questionnaires of 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Methods: This study conducted a research of 425 trauma patients transferred to the 3rd hospital in G-city by 119 ambulances from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. We aslo utilized 114 copies with questionnaires of 119 EMTs working in J-province. The data were analyzed with SPSS 18.0. Results: There were 425 trauma patients including 272 men and 137 patients with traffic accident. When it comes to types of 119 EMTs who delivered cares to patients, there were 206 (48.5%) advanced EMTs, 101 (23.8%) basic EMTs, 50 (11.8%) nurses and 43 (10.2%) rescue education receivers. The most frequent measured vital sign was pulse rate (54.1%). Regarding assessment of systolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiration rate, there were some significant differences in accordance with type of 119 EMTs. Among the 317 patients evaluated 'emergency' in field, 137 patients returned to their home. Prehospital emergency cares accounted for 861, around 2.0 treatments per a patient. In view of questionnaire, the 74.6% of 119 EMTs hoped supplement of man power for proper prehospital care to trauma patients. Conclusion: This study suggested that it is necessary to develop detailed guidelines for trauma patients so as to improve quality of trauma patient evaluation and prehospital care. Furthermore, improvement of emergency care systems will reduce mortality of trauma patients and lead to their good outcome.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.77-86
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• 2002

The purposes of this research which was conducted by surveying lost/added unit hours reports, unit hour demand analysis worksheets from prehospital care reports of two squads in Kyonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters for 20 weeks (January 1, 2002 - May 20, 2002) are to get Unit Hour Utilizations. Call Demands such as Unit Hour Demand, Simple Average Demand, High Average Demand, Peak Average Demand, the High Actual Demand. The conclusions from this analysis were summarized as follows: (1) By revealing Unit Hour Produced 3223.9, Call Volume 964, Unit Hour Utilization 0.299 at the Squad A and Unit Hour Produced 3328.4, Call Volume 901, Unit Hour Utilization 0.271 at the Squad B induced Korean Squads to chance identification, definition, direction of Unit Hour Utilization. (2) By revealing Simple Average Demand 7.4 on Monday Tuesday, High Average Demand 9.6 on Tuesday Friday. Peak Average Demand 11.5 on Tuesday, the High Actual Demand 12 on Tuesday Wednesday at the Squad A and Simple Average Demand 6.8 on Sunday, High Average Demand 10.4 on Monday, Peak Average Demand 11.5 on Monday, the High Actual Demand 13 on Monday at the Squad B enabled Korean Squads to utilize System Status Management. (3) The Maximum Calls per Unit Hour were 115 for 23:00~23:59, the Minimum Calls per Unit Hour were 46 for 05:00~05:49 in two squads. The Maximum Calls per Unit Hour were 7.4 on Tuesday Saturday, the Minimum Calls per Unit Hour were 6.1 on Thursday at the Squad A. The Maximum Calls per Unit Hour were 7.3 on Monday Saturday, the Minimum Calls per Unit Hour were 5.6 on Thursday at the Squad B. (4) Analyzing demand for EMTs in the optimum emergency medical service of Korea, we have been able to utilize this Unit Hour Utilization in company with the established estimation methods such as international comparisons or the number of ambulances for scientific reasonable estimation. (5) These Call Demands which were limited to the demand time in this study will make us expect some following studies including demand time, demand time, demand map for Strategic Deployment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.174-180
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• 2012

Objectives: An ambulance can be a potential source of contagious or droplet infection of a community. We estimated the prevalence of positive carriage of tuberculosis (TB), methicillin-resistant $Staphylococcus$ $aureus$ (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant $Enterococci$ (VRE) in patients transported by ambulance. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. We enrolled all patients who visited a tertiary teaching hospital emergency department (ED). Blood, sputum, urine, body fluid, and rectal swab samples were taken from patients when they were suspected of TB, MRSA, or VRE in the ED. The patients were categorized into three groups: pre-hospital ambulance (PA) group; inter-facility ambulance (IA) group; and non-ambulance (NA) group. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a multivariable logistic regression model for the prevalence of each infection. Results: The total number of patients was 89206. Of these, 9378 (10.5%) and 4799 (5.4%) were in the PA and IA group, respectively. The prevalence of TB, MRSA, and VRE infection were 0.3%, 1.1%, and 0.3%, respectively. In the PA group, the prevalence of TB, MRSA, and VRE were 0.3%, 1.8%, and 0.4%. In the IA group, the prevalence of TB, MRSA, and VRE were 0.7%, 4.6%, and 1.5%, respectively. The adjusted ORs (95% CI) of the PA and IA compared to the NA group were 1.02 (0.69 to 1.53) and 1.83 (1.24 to 2.71) for TB, 2.24 (1.87 to 2.69) and 5.47 (4.63 to 6.46) for MRSA, 2.59 (1.78 to 3.77) and 8.90 (6.52 to 12.14) for VRE, respectively. Conclusions: A high prevalence of positive carriage of TB, MRSA, and VRE in patients transported by metropolitan ambulances was found.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.183-191
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• 2011

This paper suggests emergency medical service vehicle (ambulance) algorithm when the emergency patient occurs in order to be sufficient the maximum permission time T of arrival about all sectors in one city that is divided in the various areas. This problem cannot be solved in polynomial times. One can obtains the solution using the integer programming. In this paper we suggest vertex set (or dominating set) algorithm and easily decide the location of ambulances. The core of the algorithm decides the location of ambulance is to the maximum degree vertex among the neighborhood of minimum degree vertex. For the 33 sectors Ostin city in Texas, we apply $3{\leq}T{\leq}20$ minutes. The traditional set cover algorithm with integer programming cannot obtains the solution in several T in 18 cases. But, this algorithm obtains solution for all of the 18 cases.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 2020

Recently, the RPAS(Remote Piloted Aircraft System), by remote control and autonomous navigation, has been increasing in interest and utilization in various industries and public organizations along with delivery drones, fire drones, ambulances, agricultural drones, and others. The problems of the stability of unmanned drones, which can be self-controlled, are also the biggest challenge to be solved along the development of the drone industry. drones should be able to fly in the specified path the autonomous flight control system sets, and perform automatically an accurate landing at the destination. This study proposes a technique to check arrival by landing point images and control landing at the correct point, compensating for errors in location data of the drone sensors and GPS. Receiving from the Google Map API and learning from the destination video, taking images of the landing point with a drone equipped with a NAVIO2 and Raspberry Pi, camera, sending them to the server, adjusting the location of the drone in line with threshold, Drones can automatically land at the landing point.