J Korean Med Assoc.  2010 Oct;53(10):838-840. 10.5124/jkma.2010.53.10.838.

Future directions of emergency healthcare policy in Korea

• Kong IS

• KMID: 2188407
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2010.53.10.838

Abstract

Emergency Medical Services, more commonly known as Emergency Medical Services (EMS), is a system that provides emergency medical care and public safety. EMS is infamous as a market failure, which cannot reach the break-even point financially due to operation of 24 hours and 365 days, and maintenance personnel. Thus, government's intervention is inevitable to balance the allocation of medical resources. Vulnerable area still exists for transport and patient care, and quality of EMS is behind the advanced countries. Furthermore, professionalism of 119 ambulance service is below par, also survival rate of cardiac arrest patient is low in Korea. To solve these problems, the Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to provide EMS within 30minutes by resolving of emergency vulnerable area for EMS. To improve quality of emergency medical centers, criteria of evaluation will be changed from structure to process and outcome. According to the result, differential financial support will be applied. To lower the preventable death rate as of advanced countries, 6 regional trauma centers will be run 24-hours operation for severe trauma patients. Professional education programs for emergency medical technician such as 119 providers will be reinforced. The quality management of medical consulting will be improved by appointment of medical consultants in 119 situation rooms. Also, medical safety for individuals suffering from sudden cardiac arrest will be provided in the place where large numbers of people gather by installing 1,000 Automatic External Defibrillator equipment every year.

Keyword

Emergency; Rescue; Cardiac arrest; Trauma; Public health

MeSH Terms

Ambulances
Consultants
Death, Sudden, Cardiac
Defibrillators
Delivery of Health Care
Education, Professional
Emergencies
Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Medical Technicians
Financial Support
Heart Arrest
Humans
Hypogonadism
Korea
Mitochondrial Diseases
Ophthalmoplegia
Patient Care
Public Health
Stress, Psychological
Survival Rate
Trauma Centers
Hypogonadism
Mitochondrial Diseases
Ophthalmoplegia