• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.51-66
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether, in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), according to the mode of arrival affect the emergency medical process. Methods: The participants of this study were 118 adult patients (46 patients admitted by emergency medical services (EMS), 48 walk-in patients, and 24 transferred from other hospitals) admitted to the emergency departments at one regional-level medical center who underwent coronary angiography between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017. To compare treatment courses, the median values of the following variables were compared among groups: symptom to door time; door to triage time; and door to ECG time. All data were analyzed using SPSS program. Results: Based on the initial assessment at triage, there was a significantly greater proportion of Korean Triage and Acuity Stage (KTAS) Level 1 or 2 among patients admitted by EMS than among walk-in patients. All three analyzed variables were lower in patients admitted by EMS than in the other two groups. Conclusion: Our results show that ACS patients who accessed EMS reached the emergency center faster after symptom onset, received initial triage assessment at earlier stages, and underwent sooner important examinations (i.e., the 12-lead ECG).

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study was to suggest the qualification criteria for the instructors of first aid education for teachers in the School Health Act. Methods: We compared and analyzed the approval provisions for qualifying as first aid educators under the School Health Act, the Emergency Medical Services Act, and prior studies of first aid education. Results: The comparison of the studies demonstrated some key points. First, the first aid education of teachers could be improved through the knowledge of professional instructors. Second, the doctors, emergency nurse practitioners, and emergency medical technicians (EMT) were suitable as specialized first aid instructors. Third, for qualifying as first aid instructor, only the EMTs required more than five years of career. Conclusion: We suggest that all emergency medical service providers qualify to become first aid educators. Additionally, the requirement of EMTs to have more than 5 years of career to qualify as an instructor should be eliminated.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.61-72
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• 2009

Purpose : This study was conducted to understand the unforeseen phone calls placed through the 1339 emergency medical communication system by residents of the Gwangju/Jeonnam area during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays. Methods : A descriptive research method was implemented using SPSS to analyze 9,047 reported and received consultation phone calls made during the 2008 Lunar New Year holiday (February 6-10) and the 2008 Chuseok holiday (September 13-15) for frequency and percentages. Results : Among the general characteristics of subjects during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays, an examination of the distribution for gender showed more men than women and the distribution for age showed most subjects were thirties, followed by forties, and finally under ten years of age. According to the status of situational calls during the Lunar New Year holiday most were used for in the following order : providing resource information, misdialing and prank calls, and additional consultations. According to the status of situational calls during the Chuseok holiday most were used for in the following order : providing resource information, additional consultations, misdialing and prank calls. According to region most came from Gwangju Metropolitan City Bukgu, followed by Yeosu, Suncheon, and Mokpo in Jeonnam. According to callers, the majority were non-medical persons. According to time most were made between 9:01 and 12:00, while the fewest were made during 3:01 and 6:00. According to treatment department most were made in the following order : internal medicine, pharmacy, and pediatrics. Most medical resource information provided regarded areas outside the callers location. Conclusion : Emergency medical technician will play a central role in the emergency medical information system in the near future.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 2002

The health and medical service attracts more public attention as the economy of Korea is rapidly growing up and the standard of living is elevated. Especially, the interest and demand on the prehospital emergency medical service that consists of the important part of primary medical service that is directly related to the life of patients are gradually increased. However, as compared with other advanced countries such as America in this area, Korea actually fell behind in the utilization of IT (Information Technology) to maximize the efficiency of emergency service system as well as has a problem in the general service system. This study suggested the necessity to introduce EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch) system that takes a great role as the core part in the prehospital emergency medical service that is not systemized in Korea yet. In addition, this study proposed the implementation model of EMD ASP system using ASP (Application Service Provider) in EMD system to flexibly deal with the change of IT and efficient implementation and integration of information system as well as to significantly reduce cost through wire/wireless high speed Internet network that is politically promoted in Korea on the basis of EMD. The system analysis and design was executed by HIPO (Hierarchy Plus Input Process Output) analysis that was the conceptual design technology for EMD information system modeling based on ASP and DFD (Data Flow Diagram). This study proposed DB table configuration and data schema to implement the application of web browser interface in EMD system through ERD(ER-Diagram) of EMD ASP system. Finally, this study described how to implement and utilize EMD information system. This study aims to facilitate the qualitative development of emergency medical service in the future as suggesting the concrete models for the implementation of high value-added prehospital emergency medical information system as applying ASP concept to EMD system of prehospital emergency medical service area.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.19-35
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to identify research topics in the emergency medical technician (EMT) field and examine research trends. Methods: In this study, 261 research papers published between January 2000 and May 2022 were collected, and EMT research topics and trends were analyzed using topic modeling techniques. This study used a text mining technique and was conducted using data collection flow, keyword preprocessing, and analysis. Keyword preprocessing and data analysis were done with the RStudio Version 4.0.0 program. Results: Keywords were derived through topic modeling analysis, and eight topics were ultimately identified: patient treatment, various roles, the performance of duties, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, triage systems, job stress, disaster management, and education programs. Conclusion: Based on the research results, it is believed that a study on the development and application of education programs that can successfully increase the emergency care capabilities of EMTs is needed.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2007

In Korea, Crowds, as well as more complex and larger structures, have been caused more victims in the event of fire. In that situation, EMSS should have done triage the patients according to their severity in the field, treat with standard guidelines as like advanced burn life support and transfer to appropriate facility. But in many cases, they didn't practice like that. The purpose of this study is to give basic data for proper emergency medical services by analysing EMSS of large scaled fire in Korea and suggesting some improvement methods. The improvment methods are like this ; First, developing of protocols about burn patient is needed for EMT and dispatcher. Second, Legal approval for advanced treatment is needed for EMT. Third, Fire-helicoptors are needed in Daejeon and Jeju. And Emergency Medical Helicoptors are needed in EMSS. Forth, more advanced emergency medical centers of burn must be established. Sixth, more pocket-mask and burn sheet are needed for 119 rescuer. Finally, building owners must change inflammable materials as non-inflammable materials and educate fire-prevention and first-aid to employees.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.123-134
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the number of patients with and without medical history transported to the emergency department due to changes in daily temperature and season. Methods: Data on emergency activity sheet and daily weather were collected from March 2016 to February 2017 in the city of Gyeonggi-do. In total, 13,531 patients were transferred to the emergency department in 119 ambulance. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 21). Results: The daily average number of patients transferred was the highest in August and September, i.e., the summer season. The higher the daily highest and lowest temperatures, higher the daily average number of patients transferred. In contrast, patients with medical history of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and pulmonary disease had a higher incidence of transfers in the winter season and on days with lower temperature. Conclusion: The results indicate that as people become more active during the summer when temperatures are high, the chances of daily emergencies increases, whereas patients with medical history are more likely to experience emergencies when the temperatures were lower. Hence, 119 ambulances will have to be prepared in advance to deal with this trend.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.63-85
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• 2015

Purpose: The study was to investigate the feasibility about reorganized the paramedic college into a four-year education system. Methods: Through literature review and analysis, a self-reported questionnaire was created and filled out by the professors of paramedic and analyzed. Results: An analysis of the curriculum indicated that, as paramedic schools involve practice-oriented education, reorganization of the college system is necessary to raise the quality of the actual training. The survey results found that most participants agreed with the need to reorganize the school system. Conclusion: Paramedics have a responsibility regarding the life of the nation. In order to be satisfied with its status as a national job that focuses on humanity and justice, increasing the years needed before graduation is necessary.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.69-85
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs) and their correlation with subjective health condition (SHC) among emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was disseminated to EMTs (N=257) at emergency medical institutions and fire stations. Results: The prevalence of MSSs was very high in the studied EMTs: 88.3% reported having MSSs. The most commonly affected site was the lower back (73.9%) followed by the neck (56.8%) and the shoulder (55.6%). MSSs were more common in women than in men, and its frequency increased with age. MSSs in the neck and shoulder were more increased in EMTs with < 1 year of service. MSSs in the hand / wrist / finger or leg / foot were significantly increased in EMTs of emergency medical institutions than those of fire stations. Job satisfaction was significantly lower in those with MSSs of the lower back. The subjective heath condition was decreased with age, marriage, or smoking. There was significant corelation between MSSs and SHC. Conclusion: This study suggests that MSSs are a reasonably common problem for EMTs, and that solutions need to be imposed such as some actual tasks or items related to work postures, work control, and work organization.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.189-200
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• 2021

Purpose: We aimed to provide effective emergency medical services (EMS) response strategies for coping with high acuity patients during the pandemic by analyzing the influence of the COVID-19 and social distancing on EMS. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed the distribution of high acuity patients transported by Daejeon 1-1-9 EMS during the COVID-19 pandemic period, between February 1, 2020 and October 31, 2020 and the same period in 2019, as well as the level 3 social distancing enforced period, between July 27, 2020 and October 31, 2020. Results: The EMS dispatches decreased by 17% during the observed COVID-19 pandemic period compared to the same period in 2019. The number of cases with cardiac arrest and positive prehospital stroke scale rose by (p<.001). Patients with cardiac arrest, trauma, and positive prehospital stroke scale increased by during the level 3 social distancing period. Conclusion: Unlike the decreased EMS call volume and patient transports during the COVID-19 pandemic, cardiac arrest cases and the severity of high acuity patients tended to increase. We suggest that EMS systems should contrive a response strategy considering the collateral effect of major epidemics on the incidence rate of high acuity patients.