• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.7-16
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• 2019

Purpose: The present study was conducted to identify the factors influencing the perfromance of the emergency medical technicians (EMTs) utilizing smart advance life support (SALS) and to provide appropriate feedback to improve SALS performance. Methods: The study subjects were recruited from 119 EMT members working in G city participating in SALS project. A total of 155 data were used in the analysis. Results: Of the three areas, the mean score of importance was the highest (4.53±0.48). followed by educational needs (4.24±0.66), and SALS performance (4.08±0.55). Importance was identified as a significant factor influencing SALS performance (β=.187, p<.047).The length of education. work scope. amd role of level 1 EMTs vary significantly depending on the type of qualifications they have as emergency medical professionals, while the supply of level 1 EMTs has already reached a point of saturation. Accordingly, the current regulation on allowing level 2 EMTs with at least three years of experience to take the level 1 EMT test presents serious inequity for students just graduating from their emergency medical services program. It is also a factor that degrades the professionalism of level 1 EMTs. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it was found that mediation and education programs need to be implemented to highlight the importance of the tasks performed in SALS situations in order to improve performance.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.54-62
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare prescription patterns and clinical features according to clinical departments in sedative-hypnotic intoxication. Methods: This was a retrospective study of histories, substances of poisoning, acquisition routes, clinical courses, and outcomes of patients treated for acute intoxication in a single emergency medical center from January, 2011 to December, 2013. Results: A total of 769 patients were treated for acute intoxication, 281 patients ingested sedative hypnotics during the study period. Among 281 patients, 155 patients were prescribed by psychiatric department and 80 patients were prescribed by non-psychiatric department. Benzodiazepines were more likely to be prescribed by psychiatrists, and zolpidem was preferred by non-psychiatrists (p<0.001). Non-psychiatrists were more likely to prescribe short acting benzodiazepines than psychiatrists (p<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the clinical outcomes, including prevalence of admission to ICU, ventilator care, and length of stay in ICU. In patients prescribed by non-psychiatrists, there were more patients prescribed without psychiatric diagnosis and diagnosed as major depression disorder after hospitalization. Conclusion: To promote rational prescribing of sedative hypnotics, proper psychiatric evaluation should be performed before prescribing, and educational programs including the contents of interactions and side effects of sedative hypnotics are needed.

• 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.11 no.3
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• pp.65-79
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• 2007

Purpose : It was to find out demand and supply of EMT from 2007 to 2045 and to expand scope of practice of paramedic in Korea. Methods : This study was conducted by applying a projection formula to the data from admission quota for EMT of the Ministry of Education & Human Resources Development, rate of successful candidates of annual report of the National Health Personnel Licensing Examination Board etc. Results : The number of EMTs were 6,043 paramedics, 5,378 EMT-Bs until 2006 and two produce constants derived from simple estimation were paramedic 0.81, EMT-B 0.86. On the American basis of 5.6 EMTs per 10,000, the number of paramedics under the present act will reach the basis around 2015(5.02), the number of paramedics under the amended act will reach the basis around 2030(5.50). Conclusion : There was relationship between scope of practice of paramedic in the act and demand-supply of paramedic, this necessitates surveys, studies, amendment of the act, legalization for expanded scope of practice of paramedic.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship of job stress, state of sleep, and depression and to identify factors influencing depression of emergency medical technicians. Methods: The research was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. Data collection were done using self-report questionnaires with 162 emergency medical technicians working in hospitals who agreed to participate in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 18.0 Program. Results: Depression had significant negative correlations with state of sleep, (r=-482, p<.001) and positive correlations with job stress (r=.196,p=.013). State of sleep had significant negative correlations with job stress (r=-.168, p=.033). The variance for life satisfaction was 23.7% (F=25.964, p<.001). Variable of state of sleep significantly predicted depression of emergency medical technicians. Conclusion: Considering these results, for emergency medical technicians' job stress, state of sleep, and depression, further studies are needed. Furthermore, there is a need to develop and implement new strategies to improve depression among emergency medical technicians.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2007

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is an unsaturated chlorinated hydrocarbon in the form of a colorless, volatile liquid, which is used as an industrial organic solvent for spot removal and for metal degreasing. In general, the primary complications of TCE poisoning result from involvement of the central nervous and respiratory systems, including aspiration pneumonia. A case is reported of a 54-year-old man who presented in a comatose state after accidental ingestion of 100 ml of TCE, and who recovered after conservative treatment and mechanical ventilation. We discuss this case and present a literature review.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.59-71
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the ergonomic risk factors of 119 emergency medical technicians (EMT) with musculoskeletal disorders, performing emergency medical services (EMS) procedures in a firefighter combat challenge. Methods: The evaluated EMT procedures were cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) & intubation, trauma patient assessment, and intravenous (IV) injection. Measurement of working posture was done during training. Results: In CPR & intubation, OWAS-score was 2 (mean 1.9, maximum 4), requiring correction action, while REBA-score was 11 (mean 7.28, maximum 11), requiring immediate improvement. In trauma patient assessment & IV injection, OWAS-score was 4 (mean 2.9, maximum 4), requiring immediate correction action, while the REBA score was 7 (mean 7.5, maximum 11), requiring improvement. Conclusion: Both OWAS score and REBA-score showed improvement of posture and high-risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Occupational health management in EMS procedures during combat challenge and effective injury prevention program in fire stations are warranted.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.63-78
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• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine how emergency medical technicians(EMT) are affected by job stress, musculoskeletal symptoms(MSSs) and depression. Methods : Data were collected from EMTs at emergency medical institutions and fire stations (n=257). With a questionnaire, the association of job stress and MSSs and depression were examined in this study. Results : When examining job stress by place of work, the level of stress in field situations was significantly higher in EMTs at fire stations than in EMTs at emergency medical institutions. The MSSs of EMTs at emergency medical institutions were significantly higher compared to EMTs at fire stations, For depression, the score was 14.09 out of 60, and MSSs were significantly more common in women. Additionally, the level of job stress for 20-24 and over 35 year olds was significantly higher than that in the other age groups. Job stress had a positive correlation with MSSs and depression of EMTs, and MSSs were associated with depression. Conclusions : To improve the work environment of EMTs, attention should be paid to job stress, MSS, and depression and the presence of positive organizational support should be provided which can prevent negative effects.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.135-143
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a violent experience and job stress on burnout and to investigate the factors that affect burnout in female 119 emergency medical technicians. Methods: Data from 189 female EMTs were collected using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0. The analyses included descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, analysis of variance, Scheffe test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression. Results: Burnout was positively correlated with a violent experience in female 119 EMTs. Violent experience (β=.39, p<.001) were a significant predictor of burnout in 15.2% of female 119 EMTs. Conclusion: A violent experience is identified as a significant factor affecting burnout in female 119 EMTs. Therefore, it is necessary to impart education to female 119 EMTs on effectively coping with violence.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate self-esteem and job stress which might influence job satisfaction of the emergency medical technicians. The partcipants were 135 emergency medical technicians in hospital. Data were collected from August 15 to September 10, 2009. The collected data was analyzed with the SPSS win 15.0 version. The average self-esteem score was 3.47, job stress 3.16, job satisfaction 3.14. The score for job satisfaction. showed significant difference motivation of desire(F=3.169, p=.016) and region(F=3.414, p=.011). Self-esteem had significant positive correlation to job satisfaction(r=.296, p=.000). Job stress had significant negative correlation to job satisfaction(r=-.327, p=.000). Self-esteem and job stress were significant predictor and accounted for 16% of the variance in job satisfaction of the emergency medical technicians. Future job satisfaction management program for the emergency medical technicians should be considered their self-esteem and job stress.