J Korean Med Assoc.  2016 Dec;59(12):931-937. 10.5124/jkma.2016.59.12.931.

Proposal for stabilization of regional trauma centers in Korea

• Cho HM

• KMID: 2364057
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2016.59.12.931

Abstract

From 2011 to 2016, 16 regional trauma centers were designated throughout the country and 9 of the 16 centers have been operating their own trauma facilities. At present, there are some differences in treatment experiences and levels according to the type and size of the trauma centers. Treating the trauma system as a part of emergency medical service, while the field of severe trauma is clearly different from the rest of emergency medical service in particular, has become a serious problem in Korea. First of all, the role of trauma centers should have been established before they are added to the trauma care system. Beyond that, manpower is the most important factor in building a trauma center. Pusan National University Hospital offers the ideal environment for a study on the relationship between trauma centers and emergency centers. Pusan National University Hospital has 2 independent emergency rooms: one each in the trauma center and emergency center. Therefore, it is possible to compare the outcomes of 2 different emergency rooms and identify the proportion of the trauma population who is transferred from the emergency center to the trauma center due to trauma severity index. Ultimately, the government and individual hospitals must support personnel in each trauma centers administratively and financially to sustain trauma centers over the long term. The purpose of this proposal is to suggest some resolutions to the problems associated with the trauma care system in Korea.

Keyword

Trauma centers; Emergency medical services; Manpower; Trauma severity indices

MeSH Terms

Busan
Emergencies
Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Service, Hospital
Korea*
Trauma Centers*
Trauma Severity Indices

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Comparison of emergency room stay time (median value) between trauma center and emergency center of Pusan National University Hospital in trauma patients for 1 year. Criteria: severe trauma patient (injury severity scroe >15). TER, trauma center emergency room; ER, emergency center emergency room.

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  Fig. 2 Changes in number and severity of trauma patients who visited regional trauma center of Pusan National University Hospital for 1 year. ISS, injury severity score.

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