J Korean Med Assoc.  2016 Dec;59(12):919-922. 10.5124/jkma.2016.59.12.919.

Background and progress of regional trauma center development

• Yoon HD

• KMID: 2364055
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2016.59.12.919

Abstract

In a modern medical delivery system, it is very difficult to provide adequate, timely, and equitable medical care for severely injured patients. Trauma is a leading cause of deaths under the age of 40 and a source of expensive socioeconomic losses in Korea. Korean government has been making a major effort to establish a trauma system since 2000, but inadequacies of the current trauma system still result in many preventable deaths from accidental injuries. The designation and support program for regional trauma centers is the first step in a national plan for trauma system development. At present, there are 9 regional trauma centers and 7 candidates for trauma centers. Regional trauma centers must play a key role in a regionally inclusive trauma system that integrates emergency medical services systems and healthcare delivery systems to deliver optimal medical care for injured patients.

Keyword

Trauma centers; Trauma system; Emergency medical services

MeSH Terms

Cause of Death
Delivery of Health Care
Emergency Medical Services
Humans
Korea
Trauma Centers*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Annual budget of emergency medical services fund from 2002 to 2014 (fiscal year).

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  Fig. 2 Performance of the dispatch of emergency medical service helicopter by disease. a)Dyspnea, cardiac arrest, decreased consciousness, shock, burns, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and drug intoxication.

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