• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2021

Purpose: Acetaminophen (APAP) is a widely available drug responsible for a large part of drug-induced hepatotoxicity in developed countries. Although acetaminophen overdose cases in Korea are being continuously reported, there are no reports related to the level of this drug in the patient's blood or of laboratory analysis at emergency departments (ED). This study sought to analyze the acetaminophen overdose cases at a toxicological laboratory and to survey APAP analysis services offered at select EDs. Methods: We analyzed the demographic and analytic data at a toxicological laboratory run by the National Emergency Medical Center (NMC) in 2019-2020. We surveyed the APAP laboratory service in the 38 regional emergency medical centers (EMCs) and 68 local EMCs near the toxicological laboratory. Results: We studied 175 acute poisoning cases (112 women) with positive blood APAP results (mean age 47.0±24.1 years). Suicide attempts comprised 40.0% of the cases and 30.3% APAP overdose events. In the univariate analysis, we observed that patients were significantly younger, with fewer underlying medical diseases. There were a higher number of APAP overdose events, more favorable initial mental status, more toxic quantity intake in the above treatment line group (p<0.05), In multivariate analysis, the toxic amount intake was significantly more frequent in the above treatment line group (p<0.01). Hospital APAP analysis services were available in six EMCs (3/38 regional and 3/68 local). The hospital blood APAP level reporting intervals were shorter than outside-hospital laboratory services (p<0.01, regional 7.0±3.0 vs. 40.6±27.5, local 5.3±3.1 vs. 57.9±45.1 hours). The NMC toxicological laboratory reporting interval was shorter than the other outside-hospital laboratories (p<0.01, regional 5.7±0.6 vs. 50.2±22.7 local 7.5±3.0 vs. 70.5±41.5 hours). Conclusion: Over the treatment line group, toxic amount intake was significantly more frequent. Only six of 106 EMCs have their own APAP analysis service in their hospitals.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.53-66
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• 2012

Purpose : Emergency medical services in China are increase in demand by people and under the greater pressure than ever before. So it is, necessary to advance the pre-hospital system in order to promote the development of emergency medical services. Methods : This is based on China-related articles, books, journals, reports, statistical data and other literature. Results : First, pre-hospital emergency medical care with the introduction of specialist training program should be established. Second, to strengthen pre-hospital emergency services and to develop the EMS guidelines. Third, the "120" reporting systems unification and awareness activation. Fourth, the preparation of the EMS facilities equipment system. Fifth, the rapid transport system establishment to the selected medical institutions. Conclusion : It is necessary to strengthen the emergency medical personnel at the scene, rapid transport, rapid patient triage and to improve the survival rate of the patients.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.125-134
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• 2018

Purpose: The interest in the personal mobility started to grow and as the interest increases, there are growing concerns about the safety of it. The purpose of the study is to look at the types and dynamics of patients injured by the personal mobilities. Methods: This was a retrospective 2-year observational study, from January 2016 to December 2017, on the patients who visited the emergency center and the trauma center, with an injury related to driving the personal mobility. Cases of the personal mobility-related accident were collected based on electronic medical records and hospital emergency department-based injury in-depth surveillance data. Results: A total of 65 patients visited the emergency center and the trauma center, during this study period. Six patients of 50 adults admitted the alcohol consumption (12%) and two adult patients wore the helmet as the protection gear (3.1%). The number of the patients in 2017 rises three times more than the number of patients in 2016 (51 vs. 14). Injuries to the head and neck region (67.7%) was the most common, followed by the upper extremity (46.2%). Eleven patients (16.9%) were admitted to the hospital, of whom three were admitted to the intensive care unit due to intracranial hemorrhage. Nine patients underwent surgery. Conclusions: The use of the personal mobility will continue to grow and the accidents, caused by the vehicle, will increase along with it. The study showed the damage is worse than expected. Personal mobility currently has a limited safety laws and the riders are not yet fully aware of its danger. The improvement of the regulation of the personal mobility, safety education is needed.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.116-123
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• 2016

Purpose: To develop an inclusive and sustainable trauma system as the assessment of burden of injuries is very much important. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the estimates and characteristics of abdominal traumatic injuries. Methods: The data were extracted from the National Emergency Department Information System. Based on Korean Standard Classification for Disease 6th version, which is the Korean version of International Classification of Disease 10th revision, abdominal injuries were identified and abdominal surgeries were evaluated with electronic data interchange codes. Demographic factors, numbers of surgeries and clinical outcomes were also investigated. Results: From 2011 to 2014, about 24,696 patients with abdominal trauma were admitted to the hospitals annually in South Korea. The number of patients who were admitted to regional and local emergency medical centers was 8,622 (34.91%) and 15,564(63.02%), respectively. Based on National Emergency Department Information System, liver was identified as the most commonly injured abdominal solid organ (39.50%, 9,754/24,696, followed by spleen (17.57%, 4,338/24,696) and kidney (12.94%, 3,195/24,696). Conclusion: This study shows that the demand for abdominal trauma care is considerable in South Korea and most of the patients with abdominal trauma were admitted to regional or local emergency centers. The results of this study can be used as good source of information for staffs to ensure proper delivery of abdominal trauma care in trauma centers nationally.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study is to identify factors that affect work dissatisfaction and turnover intention for dedicated nurses working in emergency departments of vulnerable areas of health care. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors related to the working environment that influence job dissatisfaction and intention to turnover among dedicated nurses working in emergency rooms in areas of medical vulnerability. Methods: We conducted a survey of nurses working in emergency rooms in vulnerable areas of medical care, and the survey was conducted for two consecutive years. A logistic regression analysis was performed with the working environment variable as the independent variable and the work environment dissatisfaction and turnover intention as dependent variables, respectively. Results: The variables that significantly affected both dissatisfactions with the working environment and turnover intention at the current institution were age, overlapping work in other departments, and the total work experience of nurses. Annual salary, the average number of double-duty (continuous work) per month, type of work, and work experience of nurses at the current institution had a significant effect only on dissatisfaction with the working environment. Conclusion: The results of this study are thought to be of great help if the government takes reference when establishing medical policies in vulnerable areas in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.39-53
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• 2021

Purpose: Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) have so far been trained as professionals under the same conditions, with no change in the 1995 Act. We aimed to find ways for them to secure expertise in accordance with social needs by strengthening the quality of the EMT education. Methods: This is a descriptive study comparing the operation status of the national emergency medical examination conducted by the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute, and the national examinations of EMT paramedic and EMT basic. The scope of the national examinations for EMT was compared by subject and area. Results: The national written exam for EMT paramedic consists of five areas. EMT basic does not include basic medicine in three related subjects, 11 areas, and 18 detail areas. Paramedic care does not include advanced pediatric life support. In addition, nine areas and 20 detail areas are not included. Conclusion: The study suggests the need for institutional supplementation so that those who have completed EMT basic and the subjects prescribed by the ordinance of the Ministry of Health and Welfare at universities, etc., in the Higher Education Act can take the EMT paramedic national exam.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.10
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• pp.253-258
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• 2020

This study analyzed, the characteristics of ambulatory care sensitive conditions(ACSCs) in patients visiting emergency departments(EDs) and compared characteristics according to two age groups (adults aged 19-64 years and, elderly people aged ≥65 years). By accessing data from the National Emergency Department Information System(NEDIS) from January 1 to December 31, 2018, we examined the proportions of different ED types and ACSCs, length of stay(LOS) in the ED, LOS hospital, and hospital admission rates. Regarding the types of EDs, we found that the proportion of local emergency medical centers was high(P<0.001). Regarding the rates of different ACSCs, 31.7% of adults were treated for gastroenteritis, a high proportion of the elderly people(48.2%) were diagnosed with and treated for pneumonia(P<0.001). The LOS in the ED was longer in elderly people for all diseases categories, except for congestive heart failure and diabetes(P<0.001). The LOS in the hospital was also significantly longer in elderly people for all ACSCs(P<0.05), and the admission rate was significantly higher in elderly people for all diseases, except for diabetes(P<0.01). Thus, analyzing the ED visits made by patients with ACSCs will need to strengthen the health-care policy to induce treatment centered on outpatient.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the causes of blow-out fractures, the computed tomography findings, and the associated facial bone fractures in aged patients. Methods: This study was performed by conducting a chart review. From January 2004 to December 2007, the patients who visited the emergency room of Asan Medical Center and were diagnosed as having a blow-out fracture were included in the study population. Patients 60 years of age or older were grouped as the aged group while patients younger than 60 years of age were grouped as the control group. Results: Between the aged group and the control group, there was a difference in the causes of blow-out fractures. The most common cause of blow-out fracture was a slip down in the aged group and violence in the control group (p<0.05). There were no differences in associated symptoms. Extraocular muscle herniation was the only statistically different computed tomography findings. In associated facial bone fractures, the most common fractures were the zygoma in the aged group and the nasal bone in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: In patients 60 years of age or older, the most common cause of blow-out fracture was a slip down, and the most common associated facial bone fracture was a zygomatic fracture.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.19-38
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between emergency medical service accessibility in different regions and the sudden death rate in elderly patients with ischemic heart disease using data analysis techniques and suggest improvements in regional emergency medical services. Methods: The study collected data from the NEDIS database and Statistics Korea. Data on a total of 75,867 patients aged ≥65 years were reviewed among patients with ischemic heart disease who visited emergency medical institutions in 2018. Frequency analysis, chi-square test, multiple logistic regression analysis, and simple logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS PC Window 25.0. Results: With an emergency medical resource per 100km², there was a concomitant reduction in the risk of death. There was a decrease in the death rate by 0.967, 0.970, 0.997, and 0.391 times with the increase in the presence of a fire department, an ambulance, a paramedic, and a regional medical center, respectively. Furthermore, a decrement in the death rate was witnessed 0.844, 0.825, and 0.975 times with the initiation of a local emergency medical center, a local emergency medical institution, and an angiography device, respectively(p <.001). Conclusion: To improve the accessibility of emergency medical services, the population and geometric area of the region should be considered essential factors when deploying emergency medical resources.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.432-442
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing the intention of the reuse in patients admitted in university hospital emergency medical center. Method: The participants were 253 patients admitted to a niversity hospital emergency medical center. Data were collected with self-administrated questionnaires and analyzed by hierarchical multiple regression. Results: Patient satisfaction with nursing care service and switching cost were positively correlated with reuse by patients while the perceived risk was negatively correlated. As levels of satisfaction with nursing care services and switching cost increase, intention of reuse increases. Satisfaction with nursing care service, switching cost and perceived risk in emergency medical center influence intention to reuse and explain 68.8% of total variation of intention to reuse. Conclusion: Findings provide strong empirical evidence for importance of atient satisfaction with nursing care service, the switching costs and the perceived risk in explaining the intention of reuse an emergency medical center.